Director Na Hong-jin has made a heartfelt commitment to give his absolute best as the inaugural jury president of the Busan International Film Festival's newly established competition section. Speaking at a press conference at the Busan Cinema Center on Thursday, Na expressed both the honor and immense pressure he feels in taking on this groundbreaking role for Asia's premier film festival.
"I was on stage at the opening ceremony yesterday. It has been almost 10 years since I've directed a film, so being on a stage like that again after so long almost caused a panic attack," Na candidly shared during the press conference. The director, who made his mark in cinema with his 2008 directorial debut "The Chaser," acknowledged the weight of expectations surrounding this historic moment for BIFF.
Na emphasized his determination to ensure the success of this landmark initiative, stating, "It's a lot of pressure, but I'll do my best. We've made careful and important decisions and it must succeed. I'm going to put my all into it." His appointment came at the recommendation of his mentor, Park Kwang-su, who currently serves as BIFF's chair and is renowned for directing acclaimed films such as "A Single Spark" (1995) and "Chilsu and Mansu" (1988).
This year marks a significant milestone for the Busan International Film Festival as it launches its first-ever competition section, complete with the newly created Busan Award. The inaugural awards ceremony is scheduled for September 26, coinciding with the festival's closing day. The competition features 14 major Asian films competing across five prestigious categories: Best Film, Best Director, Special Jury Award, Best Actor, and Artistic Contribution.
Na's deep respect for the filmmaking community was evident in his remarks: "I want to convey my sincere respect to all the people involved with the competition films who have completed and submitted their works. I will do my best to fulfill my duties as a judge." His words reflect the gravity and honor he associates with evaluating the work of fellow filmmakers from across Asia.
The distinguished jury panel brings together a remarkable array of talent from across the Asian film industry. Hong Kong's celebrated actor Tony Leung Ka-fai joins the panel alongside Indian actor and director Nandita Das and Iranian director Marzieh Meshkini. The international composition is further strengthened by Korean American director Kogonada, who has gained recognition for his thoughtful films "Columbus" (2017) and "After Yang" (2021), Indonesian film producer Yulia Evina Bhara, and Korean actor Han Hyo-joo.
Tony Leung Ka-fai shared his perspective on the honor of serving as a jury member, stating, "I believe that being a jury member is a greater honor than coming to a film festival with a film you've appeared in. Diverse and excellent works from around the world gather at film festivals, so it's not difficult to set the judging criteria." He described film as a universal language and emphasized his role in encouraging audience engagement with cinema.
Leung further elaborated on his responsibility as both an actor and jury member: "As an actor, I have a strong desire for audiences to come to the theaters. As a jury member, my responsibility is to find the best films and get audiences to come watch them." His dual perspective highlights the connection between artistic recognition and public appreciation of cinema.
Korean actor Han Hyo-joo also expressed her commitment to the judging process, focusing on the artistic merits of the competing films. "Global interest in Asian culture is growing these days, and I'm participating in the competition judging with great expectations," she said. She stressed the importance of approaching each film with an open mind, adding, "I think it's important to watch films without prejudice. I will try my best to see what kind of message and sincerity each film holds."
The establishment of BIFF's competition section represents a major evolution for the festival, which has long been recognized as Asia's most influential film event. With this new competitive element and the creation of the Busan Award, the festival aims to further elevate Asian cinema on the global stage while honoring the region's most outstanding filmmakers and performers. The success of this inaugural competition, under Na Hong-jin's dedicated leadership, could set the tone for years of prestigious recognition in Asian cinema.
