Alfonso CUARÓN ©Esperanto Filmoj

The 31st Busan International Film Festival announced the first-ever visit to Korea by the acclaimed filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón. A towering figure in contemporary cinema, Cuarón has won the Academy Award for Best Director twice, for Gravity (2013) and Roma (2018), among other top honors including the Venice Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay for Y Tu Mamá También (2001) and the Golden Lion for Roma (2018). Cuarón first drew Hollywood's attention with Y Tu Mamá También, a vivid portrait of youth, desire, and friendship. He then took on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), bringing a darker and more distinctive visual sensibility to the franchise. In the science-fiction film Children of Men (2006), his remarkable long takes immerse audiences directly in a world of war and chaos, demonstrating new possibilities for visual storytelling in contemporary cinema.

Alfonso Cuarón is expected to make his first appearance at BIFF at the Opening Ceremony, and a master class will also be held during the festival. Known for drawing audiences deeply into his characters’ experiences through camerawork closely attuned to them, restrained editing, and precise direction, Cuarón will discuss the artistic choices that have shaped his filmmaking.

In addition, a special IMAX screening of his acclaimed film Gravity will be presented at the festival. The film, which earned Cuarón an Academy Award for Directing, was co-written with his son, filmmaker Jonás Cuarón.

Jonás Cuarón ©Esperanto Filmoj

Jonás Cuarón’s latest feature, Campeón Gabacho, will also be presented in the World Cinema section as an Asian Premiere at BIFF, followed by a post-screening Q&A with the director. Together, the two films offer audiences a rare opportunity to explore the distinct cinematic perspectives of father and son. Since making his mark as a screenwriter on Gravity, Jonás Cuarón has since built a distinctive body of work as a filmmaker, directing films including Desierto (2015) and Chupa (2023). Campeón Gabacho, starring Juan Daniel García Treviño, Leslie Grace, Rubén Blades, Eddie Marsan, Rosario Dawson and Cheech Marin, offers a playful yet sharp portrait of a Mexican immigrant struggling to build a life in the United States. Jonás Cuarón also produces the film alongside Alfonso Cuarón and Gabriela Rodriguez through their Esperanto Filmoj banner, with Nicolás Celis also serving as a producer.

Bringing together acclaimed filmmakers and leading voices from around the world, the 31st Busan International Film Festival will take place for 10 days from Oct 6 (Tue) to 15 (Thu) at the Busan Cinema Center and venues across Busan.