Busan Film Festival Opens 31st Edition, Honors Zhang Yimou, Michelle Yeoh
Zhang Yimou leads the seven-member competition jury, while Ann Hui, Michelle Yeoh and Kim Dong-ho receive honors at the opening ceremony.
The Busan International Film Festival opened its 31st edition on Tuesday, with Busan Mayor Park Chun Jae-soo declaring the festival open at the opening ceremony, according to Variety.
Zhang Yimou serves as jury president of the competition. The seven-member jury includes Bi Gan, Kei Ishikawa, Moon Choi, July Jung, Tran Thi Bich Ngoc, and Samal Yeslyamova — six jurors serving alongside Zhang.
Three figures were honored at the ceremony. Ann Hui received the Camellia Award, Michelle Yeoh received the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award, and Kim Dong-ho received the Korean Cinema Award.
The winner of BIFF's competition Grand Prize qualifies for Academy Award consideration in the International Feature Film category.
Background
Ann Hui first visited BIFF in 1996. Michelle Yeoh won a history-making 2023 Academy Award for Everything Everywhere All at Once, becoming the first Asian performer to claim the best actress prize. Kim Dong-ho co-founded the festival in 1996 and raised nearly the entire budget for its inaugural edition. The Camellia Award was established in 2024 by BIFF in partnership with Chanel. Jung Hanseok is in his second year leading the festival.
Quick answers
Who is the jury president of the Busan International Film Festival competition?
Zhang Yimou serves as jury president. The seven-member jury includes Bi Gan, Kei Ishikawa, Moon Choi, July Jung, Tran Thi Bich Ngoc, and Samal Yeslyamova.
What honors were presented at the BIFF opening ceremony?
Ann Hui received the Camellia Award, Michelle Yeoh received the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award, and Kim Dong-ho received the Korean Cinema Award.
What does winning the Busan competition Grand Prize qualify for?
The Grand Prize winner qualifies for Academy Award consideration in the International Feature Film category.