[Dispatch | Busan=Reporter Yuha Nulgi] "The stage for Asian cinema must not remain confined to Asia." (Director Zhang Yimou)

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) competition section is in its second year. Its standing has grown higher. It is focusing on connecting Asian cinema discovered in Busan to the world stage.

The 31st Busan International Film Festival held a press conference for the competition jury (Busan Awards) on the morning of the 7th at Biff Hill in the CGV Arthouse Cinema in Haeundae-gu, Busan.

The jury panel consists of seven members total. These include Director Zhang Yimou, Chinese director Bi Gan, Japanese director Ishikawa Kei, director Jung Juri, producer Tran Thi Bik Ngoc, actress Samal Yeslyamova, and Choi Hee-seo.

Director Zhang Yimou took on the role of jury president. He said, "I remember visiting the Busan International Film Festival over a decade ago. I am pleased to return," and added, "BIFF is an extremely important festival. I look forward to being able to see many works."

He also addressed the changing stature of the Busan International Film Festival. Director Zhang Yimou referenced the three major film festivals of Cannes, Venice, and Berlin. He assessed that Busan is also growing as an important axis representing Asia.

He said, "I hope that Asian cinema as a whole, including Busan, Tokyo, and Beijing, develops together," and emphasized, "The stage for Asian cinema must not remain confined to Asia. I hope we move forward so that the world can see the excellence of our films."

Director Jung Juri agreed. "The Busan International Film Festival has already become a world-class festival. When I meet filmmakers at overseas film festivals, they bring up Busan first," she said.

Director Jung assessed, "It is a unique festival in introducing Asian cinema to the world and discovering new talent," and said, "While it is already in a world-class position, I am curious about how it will develop further going forward."

The competition section debuted for the first time last year. At that time, Director Bi Gan received the Artistic Contribution Award for "Long Day's Journey into Night." This year, he has moved to the position of jury member.

Director Bi Gan said, "BIFF already has a long history and tradition even without a competition section," but added, "I think it is good to hold a competition within the festival party."

He continued, "The Busan International Film Festival is creating new trends," and pointed out, "Making more people talk about one good film—that is the positive role of the competition section."

Producer Tran Thi Bik Ngoc is one of the filmmakers who has grown with support from the Busan International Film Festival. "I have participated as a filmmaker for the past decade. Busan is like home to me," she said, expressing her affection.

She said, "As Asian cinema is growing rapidly, the new competition section will be a catalyst for accelerating that growth," and added, "I expect it will play a greater role in discovering new Asian cinema and introducing it to the world."

This year's competition section has invited a total of 13 films. Directors from various Asian countries including Lim Ha-yeon and Kim Jung-hun (Korea), Majid Majidi (Iran), Hirose Nanako and Okita Shuichi (Japan), and Li Yunchen (Taiwan) will compete.

The 'Busan Awards' are divided into five categories. Awards are given for Best Film, Director Award, Jury Prize, Acting Award, and Artistic Contribution Award. The total prize money is 110 million won.

The Best Film winner will be selected as the closing film. It also qualifies for submission to the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. This is because the Busan International Film Festival was officially selected as an "A-list" by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF) this year.

Choi Hee-seo expressed a sense of grave responsibility. He said, "I wondered, 'Can I dare to judge?'" but also said, "The fact that I can see works with such distinguished people is itself a precious experience."

He continued, "Even if I become a burden to my fellow jury members, I participated with the determination to gain great learning," and expressed his resolve, "I will take responsibility and actively watch films and engage in in-depth conversations."

The seven jury members plan to view the 13 films from their respective perspectives. Rather than establishing one definitive answer, the plan is for them to fill gaps in the works from different viewpoints.

Director Bi Gan began by saying, "A bad film can be felt intuitively. But it is difficult to explain in one sentence why a good film is good."

What he focuses on is 'challenge.' "I will pay attention to films that go beyond my experience, works that challenge me," he said, and explained, "What is important is whether they boldly break through barriers and connect human emotions and feelings without hesitation."

He also saw the perspectives of different jury members as important. Director Bi Gan said, "Filmmakers from different countries and different roles have gathered," and added, "Even with difficult works, we can discuss them together. The role of judging is to fill gaps from different viewpoints."

The judging criterion Choi Hee-seo pointed out is 'questions.' He said, "Personally, I think a good film is not a work that provides answers but a work that raises questions."

Choi Hee-seo said, "When I receive a question through a film, and I can reflect on myself through that question, I think it is a good film," and added, "There are films that place a dot in one's heart and make one want to become a better person."

He cited director Lee Chang-dong's recent film "A Possible Love" as an example. "I spoke about film with my father for the first time. Though it was a brief conversation, I came to know my father and myself better," and he expressed his anticipation, "I want to encounter works that provide such an experience."

Meanwhile, the 31st Busan International Film Festival opened on the 6th. It will run for ten days until the 15th at the Cinema complex area.

<Photo = Photographer Song Hyo-jin>