Busan International Film Festival Awards

Overview

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is the largest film festival in Asia. Held annually in October in the coastal city of Busan, South Korea, the festival programs over 200 films from approximately 70 countries. The 30th edition in 2025 marked a structural change: BIFF introduced its first-ever main competition section, the Busan Award, alongside its long-running New Currents competition for emerging Asian directors.

The 31st edition is scheduled for October 6-15, 2026. There is no entry fee for submission. Feature film submissions are due by July 8, 2026 at 18:00 KST, and short film submissions by June 2, 2026 at 18:00 KST. Full submission rules and regulations are available in the official BIFF submission PDF.

For filmmakers, BIFF offers two distinct competitive pathways. The New Currents Award carries a cash prize of KRW 20,000,000 (approximately 15,000 USD) and is given to the most promising directorial debut or second film by an Asian director. The Busan Award, launched in 2025, carries a top prize of KRW 50,000,000 (approximately 38,000 USD) for Best Film, with additional prizes for Best Director, Special Jury Award, Best Actor, and Artistic Contribution. Trophies for the Busan Award were designed by filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul.

Key Prizes

Busan Award (Main Competition, launched 2025)

The Busan Award is BIFF's first official main competition section. Fourteen Asian works competed in its inaugural edition. Prizes include:

• Busan Award for Best Film - KRW 50,000,000 (approximately 38,000 USD)
• Busan Award for Best Director - KRW 30,000,000
• Busan Award Special Jury Award - KRW 20,000,000
• Busan Award for Best Actor - KRW 10,000,000
• Busan Award for Artistic Contribution - KRW 10,000,000

New Currents Award

The New Currents section is BIFF's signature competition for emerging Asian auteurs. It is open to debut or second features by Asian directors. The award carries a cash prize of KRW 20,000,000 (approximately 15,000 USD) for the director.

Additional Awards

• KB New Currents Audience Award - audience-voted
• BIFF Mecenat Award - for documentary
• Sonje Award - for the best Korean short film
• FIPRESCI Prize - awarded by the international film critics jury
• NETPAC Award - from the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema
• CGV Arthouse Award - for distribution support
• Bishkek International Film Festival-Central Asia Cinema Award
• Asian Filmmaker of the Year - for lifetime contribution to Asian cinema

Eligibility and Submission Rules

BIFF's submission rules for the 31st edition (October 2026):

1. Film types accepted: Features, short films, documentaries, and animation. Short documentaries (both Asian and non-Asian) and non-Asian short fiction films are not open to submission.
2. Runtime classification: 60 minutes or longer = feature. Less than 60 minutes = short. For the Wide Angle Korean Short Film Competition and Asian Short Film Competition, only films of 30 minutes or less are accepted.
3. Completion date: No earlier than September 2025, and no later than the first week of September 2026.
4. Premiere status: World and International Premieres are prioritized. For the Wide Angle short film competitions, only World Premiere and International Premiere films are considered.
5. No prior broadcast: Films must not have been broadcast on TV or made available on the internet prior to the festival.
6. No resubmissions: Films submitted for previous editions cannot be resubmitted. Re-edited or re-shot versions may be considered at the Selection Committee's discretion.
7. Entry fee: Free. There is no entry fee for submission to BIFF.
8. Subtitles: Films in any language other than Korean or English must be provided with English subtitles. Korean-language films do not require additional subtitles for pre-selection.
9. Screening format: If selected, films must be available in DCP (D-Cinema) or 35mm. No other formats (DVD, Blu-ray) are compatible.
10. Submission process: Verify email address on the official website, complete the online submission form, then upload the screener via the link provided in the confirmation email. The screener must be uploaded by 18:00 KST on the deadline date.

Submissions are made through the BIFF official website. Notification of selection results is sent in late August 2026.

History

BIFF was founded in 1996 during a period of rapid growth for South Korean cinema. The festival quickly established itself as the premier event for Asian cinema discovery, becoming the festival where many internationally acclaimed Asian filmmakers first gained visibility. The New Currents section has been particularly effective at identifying directors who go on to major international careers.

The festival's growth paralleled the rise of Korean cinema globally. BIFF's role in connecting Asian filmmakers with international buyers, press, and programmers contributed to the global visibility of Korean, Chinese, Thai, Filipino, and other Asian national cinemas.

The 30th edition in 2025 marked a structural evolution. The newly launched Busan Award gave BIFF a traditional main competition for the first time, placing it alongside Cannes, Venice, and Berlin in having a top competitive prize. The inaugural Busan Award for Best Film went to Zhang Lu's "Gloaming in Luomu," a Chinese-Korean coproduction. Taiwanese actor-turned-director Shu Qi won Best Director for "Girl." The 2025 jury was headed by Na Hong-jin, who described the Best Film decision as "unanimous and clear."

The New Currents Award at the 30th edition went to Korean director Yoo Jaein's "En Route To," solidifying the film's breakout status.

The Asian Film Market and Asian Cinema Fund

BIFF's influence extends beyond competition prizes. The Asian Film Market, held alongside the festival, is the largest dedicated film market in Asia. It hosts buyers and sellers from across the continent and facilitates international sales, co-production partnerships, and distribution deals specific to Asian territories.

The Asian Cinema Fund provides direct production and post-production support to Asian filmmakers. This makes BIFF one of the few major festivals that directly funds filmmaking in addition to showcasing finished work. For emerging Asian filmmakers, the combination of festival exposure, market access, and potential funding makes BIFF an essential part of the career development ecosystem.

2025 Ceremony Results (30th Edition)

The 30th BIFF closed on September 26, 2025 at the Busan Cinema Center. Key winners:

Zhang Lu, who won the inaugural Busan Award for Best Film, had previously won the New Currents Award two decades earlier, making him the first filmmaker to win both BIFF competitions.

Significance for Filmmakers

For Asian filmmakers, a BIFF selection provides visibility across the continent's diverse markets and connects them with international industry professionals attending the Asian Film Market. The New Currents Award has launched careers for filmmakers who went on to compete at Cannes, Venice, and Berlin.

The Asian Cinema Fund provides tangible production support, making BIFF one of the few major festivals that directly funds filmmaking in addition to showcasing finished work. For emerging Asian filmmakers, the combination of festival exposure, market access, and potential funding makes BIFF an essential part of the career development ecosystem.

The introduction of the Busan Award in 2025 changes the festival's competitive landscape. For the first time, BIFF offers a top-tier main competition prize comparable to the Golden Bear, Palme d'Or, or Golden Lion. This elevates the festival's position in the global awards hierarchy and gives Asian filmmakers a pathway to major competition recognition without needing to premiere at a European festival.

The lack of an entry fee is a practical advantage for low-budget Asian productions. Unlike the Berlinale (175 euros for features) or many other major festivals, BIFF does not charge for submission, removing a financial barrier for independent filmmakers.

Past Winners and What They Won With

The Busan International Film Festival awards include the New Currents Award (the festival's flagship competition prize for first or second features by Asian filmmakers, with a cash prize of $30,000), the Busan Award (introduced in 2025 as BIFF's first top-tier main competition prize comparable to the Golden Bear, Palme d'Or, or Golden Lion), the Sonje Award (Best Asian Short), the BIOMEX Award (Best Asian Documentary), and the FIPRESCI Prize. The Asian Cinema Fund provides tangible production support, making BIFF one of the few major festivals that directly funds filmmaking in addition to showcasing finished work. The New Currents Award has launched careers for filmmakers who went on to compete at Cannes, Venice, and Berlin. The introduction of the Busan Award in 2025 elevates the festival's position in the global awards hierarchy, giving Asian filmmakers a pathway to major competition recognition without needing to premiere at a European festival.

Eligibility Quirks That Trip People Up

BIFF does not charge an entry fee for submissions, unlike the Berlinale (175 euros for features) or many other major festivals. This removes a financial barrier for independent filmmakers. The New Currents competition is restricted to first or second features by Asian filmmakers, making it a dedicated platform for emerging Asian talent. For Asian filmmakers, a BIFF selection provides visibility across the continent's diverse markets and connects them with international industry professionals attending the Asian Film Market. The combination of festival exposure, market access, and potential funding through the Asian Cinema Fund makes BIFF an essential part of the career development ecosystem for emerging Asian filmmakers. The festival also hosts the Asian Project Market, which connects Asian projects in development with co-production and financing partners.

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See Also

For strategies on navigating the Asian festival circuit, see Festival Strategy for Independent Films. To model revenue across Asian and global markets, use the Revenue Forecast Calculator. For understanding how Asian distribution deals and film markets function, see Distribution Deals Explained.