European Women Filmmakers

Take Center Stage at the 30th BIFF

16 Films by European Female Filmmakers

Meet Audiences in Busan with EFP

‘EUROPE! VOICES OF WOMEN+IN FILM’

EFP is a network of national film promotion institutions in 37 European countries, dedicated to promoting European films and figures to the global cinema industry and media under the shared vision of showcasing European cinema’s diversity and spirit. The institution will support 69 European works invited to BIFF and attend the Asian Contents & Film Market, accompanied by 19 international distributors affiliated with EFP.

Busan International Film Festival features ‘EUROPE! VOICES OF WOMEN+ IN FILM’ program in partnership with EFP, following this year’s Sydney Film Festival and Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival. The program brings diverse works by European Female Directors to the global stage, with 16 films officially selected for screening at BIFF.

Seo Seunghee, BIFF Programmer in charge of European selections, stated, "We are truly delighted and grateful to collaborate with EFP on the VOICES OF WOMEN+ IN FILM program at the Busan International Film Festival. This year, more European filmmakers, actors, and producers than ever before — including the renowned master Marco Bellocchio — are joining us in Busan. In particular, we are deeply honored to witness the significantly increased participation of European women filmmakers, each bringing their own unique voice and vision."

Engaging Opportunity at BIFF Outdoor Stage

Talk-to-Talk, Cut! Then Action: Stories from Rising Women Filmmakers

Striking works by European female directors are showcased across various sections in Busan. Under Icons section, which introduces contemporary masters’ new releases, unravels the following films: Romería by Carla Simón, emblematic Spanish director and winner of the Golden Bear Prize in Berlin; Silent Friend directed by acclaimed Hungarian filmmaker Ildikó Enyedi; Alpha by Julia Ducournau who earned Palme d'Or in Cannes; and Franz new work by garnered director Agnieszka Holland, known for her delicate psychological portraits.

Reflecting this year’s cinematic trends, the World Cinema section unfolds a wide range of European filmmakers’ works. ▲ Don't Let the Sun by Jacqueline Zünd ▲The Little Sister by Hafsia Herzi ▲ Sound of Falling by Mascha Schilinski ▲ Sweetheart Margherita Spampinato ▲ God Will Not Help by Hana Jušić ▲ Adam’s Sake by Laura Wandel ▲That Summer in Paris by director Valentine Cadic ▲ The Currents by Milagros Mumenthaler ▲The Voice of Hind Rajab by Kaouther Ben Hania.

In Flash Forward, which sheds light on first or second features by emerging talents outside Asia who are crafting inventive cinematic universe, A Year of School by Laura Samani, invited to the Orizzonti section in Venice and Her Will Be Done by Julia Kowalski, following its screening at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, will be unveiled.

In Wide Angle, which broadens the cinematic horizon by showcasing distinctive short films and documentaries offering fresh perspectives, Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk by Sepideh Farsi which stirred great resonance at ACID Cannes 2025.

BIFF welcomes revered European filmmakers, including▲ Laura Samani ▲ Laura Wandel ▲ Margherita Spampinato ▲ Valentine Cadic ▲ Jacqueline Zünd ▲ Julia Kowalski ▲ Ildikó Enyedi ▲ Sepideh Farsi. As in previous year, an EFP x BIFF Networking Party will be held, spotlighting European Cinematic figures in collaboration with Cinecittà.

A special Talk-to-Talk session, Cut! Then Action: Stories from Rising Women Filmmakers will provide a platform for exchanging perspectives on cinema artistry between European and Asian directors. Featuring Laura Samani, Valentine Cadic, Jacqueline Zünd, and Julia Kowalski, the event will take place on September 20 (Sat) at 12PM at the BIFF Outdoor Stage.

“We are excited to see our initiative presented in this format for the first time in Busan. We want to spark a conversation between European and Asian filmmakers and the festival’s audiences on this important topic in close collaboration with the festival team. The selected European films touch on profoundly human experiences — ranging from personal and collective trauma to coming-of-age subjects, concerns about the future, and the burden of memory — while showcasing striking artistic visions from across Europe,” says EFP’s Managing Director Sonja Heinen.

The allure of films by European female filmmakers will be revealed at the 30th Busan International Film Festival, held from September 17 (Wed) to 26 (Fri).