Commemorating the milestone 30th edition, the Busan International Film Festival unveils the third iteration of ‘Asian Cinema 100’ under the theme ‘Defining Moments of Asian Cinema’, developed in collaboration with the Pusan National University Film Institute and the Korean Film Archive. Selected films will be screened, accompanied by special talk sessions featuring directors and lead actors, which delve into the creative and aesthetic dimensions of Asian cinema.

Jafar PANAHI, Marziyeh MESHKINY, JIA Zhang-Ke, TSAI Ming-Liang, LEE Kang-Sheng, WANG Bing, Johnnie TO, LEE Chang-dong, PARK Chan-wook, and YAGIRA Yuya

Commemorating the milestone 30th edition, the Busan International Film Festival unveils the third iteration of ‘Asian Cinema 100’ under the theme ‘Defining Moments of Asian Cinema’, developed in collaboration with the Pusan National University Film Institute and the Korean Film Archive. Selected films will be screened, accompanied by special talk sessions featuring directors and lead actors, which delve into the creative and aesthetic dimensions of Asian cinema.

Attendees include Jafar Panahi, This Is Not a Film; Marziyeh Meshkiny, The Day I Became a Woman; Jia Zhang-Ke, Still Life; Tsai Ming-Liang and Lee Kang-Sheng, Goodbye, Dragon Inn; Wang Bing, Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks; Johnnie To, Election; Lee Chang-dong, Burning; Park Chan-wook, Old Boy and Yagira Yuya from Nobody Knows, - master filmmakers and actors who have been honored at international festivals and have shaped the history of Asian Cinema. They will gather in Busan to offer audiences an exceptional cinematic experience.

Third Edition since 2015
Adopting 100 Asian Films Reflecting the Past and Present of Asian Cinema

‘Defining Moments of Asian Cinema’ is the third iteration of ‘Asian Cinema 100’, first launched in 2015 to mark the 20th edition. Revisiting the evolution of Asian cinema and exploring the systematic analysis of cinematic significance, the special program is based on a comprehensive survey of global filmmakers, critics, and scholars, capturing the aesthetic value and historical trajectory of Asian cinema. Following the release of the Best Asian Films in 2015 and the Best Asian Films by Female Directors in 2021, this year’s survey engaged 161 figures from 34 countries, including directors, producers, actors, critics, professionals, and festival programmers. A total of 119 films (including tied rankings) were selected, with 10 titles officially invited for screening at the festival. The full list of curated films will be available on the BIFF official website.

Starting with This Is Not a Film by Jafar Panahi, recipient of the 2025 ‘The Asian Filmmaker of the Year’, and Marziyeh Meshikiny, director of The Day I Became a Woman, who won the New Currents Award in 2000 for a bold vision as an Iranian female director, both filmmakers are coming to meet Busan audiences. Chinese masters will also showcase their pivotal works, including Jia Zhang-Ke for Still Life, capturing a powerful portrait of China’s rapid transformation; Tsai Ming-Liang for Goodbye, Dragon Inn, a representative Taiwanese New Wave director’s cinematic explorations of time and space; Wang Bing for Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks, sensing Chinese working-class lives in an extended documentary format; and Johnnie To for Election, a distinguishing work by the maestro of Hong Kong noir film. From Japan, Drive My Car by Hamaguchi Ryusuke, which garnered the Best Screenplay at Cannes 2021 will be screened. Nobody Knows by Kore-Eda Hirokazu will be introduced by Yagira Yuya, winner of the Best Actor at Cannes. Korean cinema is represented by Burning by Lee Chang-dong, an adaptation of Murakami Haruki’s short story, which built a global reputation, and Old Boy by Park Chan-wook, who was named ‘The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century’ by The New York Times. Together, the selection illustrates the diversity, historical depth, and artistic richness of Asian cinema, heightening anticipation for this year’s celebration.

Release of a Publication Including the Best Asian Films 100 and Critic Essays

In conjunction with the program, BIFF will publish a commemorative book featuring all 119 films (including tied rankings) titled Defining Moments of Asian Cinema – 100 Best Asian Films Since 1996. The book will feature essays from Asian and Korean filmmakers and critics, all under the theme ‘My Beloved Asian Films’. With these affectionate and admiring views, this publication invites readers to navigate the profound and in-depth perspective on ‘Defining Moments of Asian Cinema’.