Himeno Hanaharu Wins Best Actor at Busan, Youngest Ever
Himeno Hanaharu won The Best Actor Award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival for her first film role in Sato-ko wa Itsumo, becoming the youngest winner ever.
Himeno Hanaharu won The Best Actor Award in the competition section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, which closed on October 15, 2026, according to cinemacafe.net. Born on April 21, 2010, she is the youngest ever winner of The Best Actor Award across all competition sections of the festival.
In the film Sato-ko wa Itsumo, directed by Okita Shuichi, Himeno plays the 15-year-old junior high school student Nakai Satoko. The role is her first film appearance. The film stars Arimura Kasumi, Ishida Hikari and Himeno Hanaharu as three women named Satoko.
Jury member and actor Choi Hee-seo introduced Himeno Hanaharu before she received the trophy on stage.
The Best Actor Award was newly established at the Busan International Film Festival last year. Himeno was selected from an audition with about 300 participants despite having almost no acting experience.
Sato-ko wa Itsumo is currently in theaters nationwide in Japan.
Quick answers
Who won The Best Actor Award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival?
Himeno Hanaharu won The Best Actor Award in the competition section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, which closed on October 15, 2026.
What role does Himeno Hanaharu play in Sato-ko wa Itsumo?
She plays the 15-year-old junior high school student Nakai Satoko, in her first film role.
Who directed Sato-ko wa Itsumo?
The film is directed by Okita Shuichi and stars Arimura Kasumi, Ishida Hikari and Himeno Hanaharu as three women named Satoko.