The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has officially confirmed the three distinguished industry figures who will serve as the jurors for its flagship New Currents Award. The prestigious competition serves as a premier international launchpad for emerging Asian directors, shining a spotlight on fresh cinematic voices from across the continent. For its upcoming milestone edition, the festival has assembled a truly global and accomplished panel featuring acclaimed Indian filmmaker Rima Das, celebrated Chinese producer Shan Zuolong, and multi-award-winning Korean actor Shim Eun-kyung.
The New Currents competition is open to first- and second-feature films directed by emerging Asian filmmakers, with entries screening across the festival’s dedicated Competition or Vision sections. In addition to the immense prestige and international exposure that comes with a selection or victory in the competitive sidebar, the winners of the New Currents Award will take home a substantial cash prize of KRW 20 million, equivalent to approximately $14,400. This financial support is designed to aid promising filmmakers as they look toward future creative endeavors and continue developing their unique cinematic visions.
Representing India on the prestigious three-person jury is Rima Das, a celebrated writer, director, and producer based in Assam, India. Das has carved out a distinct niche for herself in contemporary world cinema with an intimate, highly authentic visual style. Her cinematic language is frequently built around profound themes of human resilience, personal growth, and the deeply intricate bond that exists between humanity and nature. Her work has resonated profoundly with audiences and critics alike across the globe, having been officially selected for screening at more than 150 international film festivals and accumulating over 75 global awards and honors throughout her career.
Das’s impressive and steadily expanding filmography includes such celebrated works as "Village Rockstars" (2017), "Bulbul Can Sing" (2018), "Tora’s Husband" (2022), "Village Rockstars 2" (2024), and her more recent project, "Not a Hero" (2026). These titles have consistently found welcoming berths at premier international film festivals, including prominent stops at Toronto and Berlin, alongside her strong and enduring relationship with Busan. Her breakout feature, "Village Rockstars," captured the coveted best feature film honors at India’s National Film Awards before historic selection as the country’s official submission to the Academy Awards in 2018.
Her creative momentum has continued unabated in recent years. "Village Rockstars 2" was honored with the prestigious Kim Jiseok Award during the 2024 edition of the Busan International Film Festival, while her project "Not a Hero" received a coveted Crystal Bear special mention in Berlin’s Generation KPlus section. Beyond her extensive filmmaking credentials, Das is an official member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and brings valuable prior experience from sitting on various international film festival juries.
Joining Das on the New Currents jury is influential Chinese producer Shan Zuolong, whose extensive and critically acclaimed credits trace back to pivotal titles in contemporary independent Chinese cinema. Shan’s career as a producer took off with "Kaili Blues" directed by Bi Gan in 2015, a visionary feature that captured the best emerging director prize at the Locarno Film Festival. The successful creative partnership between Shan and Bi Gan continued with "Long Day’s Journey Into Night" in 2018, which secured a prestigious Un Certain Regard selection at the Cannes Film Festival.
Shan’s subsequent producing slate reflects a continued commitment to bold, distinctive storytelling and auteur-driven cinema. His credits include "Love Is a Gun," directed by Lee Hong-chi in 2023, which was honored with the Lion of the Future award for best debut feature at the Venice International Film Festival. He also produced "The Botanist," directed by Jing Yi in 2025, which claimed the Grand Prix in Berlin’s Generation section, and "Resurrection," another collaboration with Bi Gan released in 2025. "Resurrection" notably took home the Special Prize at Cannes and also received the Busan Award for Artistic Contribution when it screened in BIFF’s inaugural Competition section last year. In recognition of his substantial contributions to global cinema, Shan was invited to join the Producers Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2026.
Rounding out the international trio is acclaimed Korean actor Shim Eun-kyung, whose remarkable career spans both the vibrant South Korean entertainment industry and the Japanese film landscape. Shim initially swept best actress honors at several of South Korea’s most prestigious award ceremonies for her standout performances in "Sunny" (2011) and "Miss Granny" (2014). Her unforgettable work in "Miss Granny" specifically earned her major wins at the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Chunsa International Film Festival, alongside recognition at the Buil Film Awards.
Demonstrating immense versatility and cross-cultural appeal, Shim subsequently built a thriving and respected career in Japan as well. She made history by becoming the first Korean actor to claim the prestigious Japan Academy Film Prize for best actress, a monumental achievement awarded for her powerful performance in the 2019 political drama "The Journalist." Her more recent artistic endeavors include starring in "Two Seasons, Two Strangers" (2025), a film that captured the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival and earned Shim the Kinema Junpo Best Actress Award for her compelling portrayal.
The announcement of the New Currents jury sets the stage for what promises to be another landmark year for the long-running festival. The 31st edition of the Busan International Film Festival is scheduled to run from October 6 to October 15, taking place at the state-of-the-art Busan Cinema Center and various cultural venues scattered throughout the dynamic South Korean port city. In tandem with the main cinematic celebration, the 21st edition of the Asian Contents & Film Market will be held concurrently from October 10 to October 13, bringing together industry professionals, buyers, sellers, and creators from across the globe to foster collaboration and trade within the regional entertainment sector.
