Film is a composite art that fuses two seemingly contradictory values—artistry and popular appeal—while always offering audiences new cultural experiences. Among them, short films allow directors the most freedom and originality, without the pressures of commercial success or safe aesthetic choices. For audiences, this often means discovering what we might call the true ‘taste of short films.’ Asia, with its rich cultural and social diversity, continues to produce films of remarkable variety. I hope both cinephiles and general audiences at this year’s Busan International Film Festival will be captivated by this special ‘taste of short films.’

“20 minutes is enough to capture the world.”

Family, Identity, Discrimination, Immigration, rebellion..  sincere confessions by Asian youth

In particular, West Asian and Southeast Asian cinema have recently drawn global attention, featuring works ranging from socially critical films rooted in historical context to fresh genre experiments rarely seen before. The selected films invite audiences to explore the landscape of Asian cinema—crossing eras and borders, emotions and genres.

“Why are we eager to make films even when we cannot.”

Continuing persistent questions about ‘cinema’ in front of camera and even after turning it off.

“Slowly warming love stories”

Stories of the man and the woman, gently embrace your parched heart

Rangga & Cinta by Riri RIZA

“Must you be human for me to feel you?”

Ghosts, AI, phantoms.. being that blur the boundaries ask: What does it mean to be human?

A Useful Ghost by Ratchapoom BOONBUNCHACHOKE

“To whom does justice belong?”

Torture, Genocide, War.. piercing stories by those who chose to raise their cameras instead of remaining silent

It Was Just an Accident by Jafar PANAHI

The President’s Cake by Hasan HADI

“Women who endures to the very end”

Family and work, Trauma.. stories of unyielding women who confront the world head-on

On Your Lap by Reza RAHADIAN

“That summer, we never knew this was what is meant to become adults”

First love, Parting, Self-Consciousness, Rebellion .. chronicles of Asian youth capturing the raw intensity of growing up.

The Day I Became a Woman by Marziyeh MESHKINY

“Under the moonlight, a cursed dance calls your name.”

From unfamiliar ghost tales to creatures and body horror. Your nights will never be peaceful again!

Halabala by Eakasit THAIRAAT