Nandita Das Joins Jury at 30th Busan International Film Festival

New Delhi, Sep 3 (PTI) Actor-filmmaker Nandita Das has joined the seven-member competition jury at the 30th Busan International Film Festival, with renowned Korean filmmaker Na Hong-Jin serving as the jury president, announced on Wednesday. This year, BIFF has introduced a new competition section along with the ‘Busan Award’, with winners set to be unveiled at the closing ceremony.

Heading the jury, Na Hong-Jin is recognized as one of the leading directors in contemporary South Korean cinema, celebrated for his films like "Chaser", "The Yellow Sea", and "The Wailing", all of which have garnered international praise. He recently co-produced "The Medium", a Thai-Korean project. His next film, "Hope", features Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Hoyeon, Alicia Vikander, and Michael Fassbender.

Nandita Das, a distinguished figure in Indian cinema, known for her performances in "Earth", "Fire", and "Bawandar", made her directorial debut with the critically-acclaimed "Firaaq" in 2008. Besides serving as a jury member at multiple international film festivals like Cannes, she is also celebrated for directing "Manto" and "Zwigato".

Another notable jury member is Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Ka-fai, known for films such as "Reign Behind a Curtain", "Farewell China", "Center Stage", "Dragon Inn", "The Lover", "Cold War", and "The Shadow’s Edge".

Iran’s Marziyeh Meshkiny, a pioneering female director in the Iranian New Wave cinema, is also on the jury. A graduate of the Makhmalbaf Film School, her directorial works include her debut "The Day I Became a Woman", as well as "Stray Dogs" and "The Man Who Came with the Snow".

Korean-American filmmaker Kogonada, director of films like "Columbus", "After Yang", and the series "Pachinko", is also on the panel. His upcoming work, "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey" (2025), featuring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell, will release in the United States on September 19 and in Korea in October.

Indonesian producer Yulia Evina Bhara, known for broadening Southeast Asian cinema through projects like "Solo, Solitude", "The Science of Fictions", "You and I", "Whether The Weather Is Fine", "Stone Turtle", "Don’t Cry, Butterfl", and "The Fox King", joins the jury too.

Rounding off the panel is Han Hyo-joo, a leading Korean actor who is expanding her reach globally. Debuting in "Nonstop 5" in 2005, she gained quick recognition with "Spring Waltz" and "Brilliant Legacy" (2009). Her noteworthy roles include "Dong Yi", "Cold Eyes", "Beauty Inside", "Love, Lies", and the series "Moving".

The Festival Director of BIFF, Jung Hanseok, expressed, "Since this is a newly launched section, we sought to appoint jury members with discerning eyes, bold perspectives, and international influence. By expanding our panel from five to seven members this year, we aim to broaden the scope of deliberation. I am eagerly awaiting the selection of this year's most remarkable Asian films by these esteemed members, led by Jury President Na Hong-Jin." The Busan Award comprises five categories: Best Film, Best Director, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor, and Artistic Contribution.