The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has officially announced the distinguished panel of jurors for its prestigious New Currents Award, a premier competitive section that has long served as a vital international launchpad for emerging filmmaking talent across Asia. For its upcoming 31st edition, the festival has secured three heavyweights from the global film community to evaluate the next generation of cinematic voices: acclaimed Indian auteur Rima Das, celebrated Chinese producer Shan Zuolong, and award-winning Korean actor Shim Eun-kyung.
The New Currents Award stands as one of the cornerstone programs of the Busan International Film Festival, shining a spotlight on debut feature films from fresh directors across the continent. First-time feature films screening in either BIFF’s main Competition section or its critically regarded Vision section are eligible for consideration. Winning the award not only brings immense international prestige and critical validation to an emerging director’s career, but it also carries a significant cash prize of KRW 20 million, equivalent to approximately $14,400. Over the years, the platform has helped introduce numerous groundbreaking filmmakers to the wider global market, cementing Busan’s reputation as a critical hub for independent and artistic cinema in Asia.
Bringing a deeply personal and resonant artistic vision to the jury room is Rima Das, an independent filmmaker based in Assam, India. Das has built a remarkably distinct cinematic signature characterized by an intimate visual style that explores profound themes of human resilience, youth, and the intricate, delicate bond between humanity and the natural world. Operating largely outside traditional commercial filmmaking frameworks, Das has successfully carried her distinct storytelling sensibilities to audiences worldwide. Her films have traveled extensively, playing at more than 150 international film festivals and accumulating over 75 awards along the way.
Das’s celebrated filmography includes a series of acclaimed features such as "Village Rockstars" in 2017, "Bulbul Can Sing" in 2018, "Tora’s Husband" in 2022, "Village Rockstars 2" in 2024, and "Not a Hero" slated for 2026. These works have found berths at prestigious international showcases including the Toronto International Film Festival and the Berlinale, alongside her enduring relationship with Busan. Her breakout feature, "Village Rockstars," captured the best feature film honors at India’s National Film Awards and was subsequently selected as the country’s official submission to the Academy Awards in 2018. Her creative journey came full circle when "Village Rockstars 2" was honored with the prestigious Kim Jiseok Award during the 2024 edition of BIFF. Furthermore, her project "Not a Hero" received a Crystal Bear special mention in Berlin’s Generation KPlus section. A recognized member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Das is no stranger to the critical evaluation of cinema, having previously served on several other international festival juries.
Joining Das on the three-person panel is renowned Chinese producer Shan Zuolong, whose career has been synonymous with some of the most daring, critically lauded, and visually arresting arthouse productions to emerge from China and greater Asia over the past decade. Shan’s extensive producing credits trace back to Bi Gan’s acclaimed 2015 feature "Kaili Blues," which captured the best emerging director prize at the Locarno Film Festival, establishing both the director and producer as major forces in contemporary world cinema. The creative partnership between Shan and director Bi Gan continued with "Long Day’s Journey Into Night" in 2018, which was selected for the prestigious Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival.
Shan’s subsequent producing slate reflects a continuous eye for boundary-pushing narrative and formal experimentation. His later credits include "Love Is a Gun," directed by Lee Hong-chi in 2023, which was honored with the coveted Lion of the Future award for best debut feature at the Venice Film Festival. He also produced "The Botanist," directed by Jing Yi in 2025, which claimed the Grand Prix in Berlin’s Generation section. That same year, Shan collaborated once again with Bi Gan on "Resurrection," a project that took home the Special Prize at Cannes and also received BIFF’s Busan Award for Artistic Contribution when it screened in the festival’s inaugural Competition section. In recognition of his enduring contributions to global cinema, Shan was invited to join the Producers Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Rounding out the New Currents jury is celebrated Korean actor Shim Eun-kyung, whose remarkable career spans both Korean and Japanese cinema, marked by deep dramatic range and widespread critical acclaim. Shim first rose to prominence in her home country by sweeping best actress honors at several of Korea’s most prestigious award ceremonies for her standout performances in the hit comedy-drama "Sunny" in 2011 and the box-office phenomenon "Miss Granny" in 2014. Her unforgettable leading turn in "Miss Granny" earned her major wins at the Baeksang Arts Awards, the Chunsa International Film Festival, and the Buil Film Awards, firmly establishing her as one of the leading dramatic talents of her generation.
Demonstrating exceptional versatility and crossing international borders, Shim successfully built a parallel career in Japan, achieving a historic milestone by becoming the first Korean actor to claim the Japan Academy Film Prize for best actress. She earned the coveted honor for her riveting performance in the political drama "The Journalist" in 2019. Her momentum in international cinema has continued unabated; her latest credit, "Two Seasons, Two Strangers" in 2025, captured the prestigious Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival. This triumphant festival run also earned her the Kinema Junpo Best Actress Award, further solidifying her status as a revered pan-Asian cinematic talent.
The convergence of these three esteemed industry figures—representing the directorial heart of independent Indian cinema, the visionary producing force of contemporary Chinese art film, and the boundary-crossing star power of Korean and Japanese acting excellence—promises a rigorous and thoughtful evaluation of this year’s New Currents contenders.
Organizers have confirmed that the 31st edition of the Busan International Film Festival will take place from October 6 through October 15, hosting screenings and events at the iconic Busan Cinema Center as well as various cultural venues throughout the host city. In tandem with the film festival, the 21st edition of the Asian Contents & Film Market will run from October 10 to October 13, bringing together industry professionals, distributors, and creators from around the globe to foster collaboration and trade within the thriving regional and international film industries.
