The organizing committee of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has announced the selection of Rima Das, Shan Zuolong, and Shim Eun-kyung as jurors for the New Currents Award. This prestigious prize is widely regarded as a significant career launchpad for emerging directors from across Asia.
Eligible for the award are debut feature films selected for screening in either the Competition or Vision sections of the festival. The winner will receive a cash prize of KRW20 million, equivalent to approximately $14,400.
Das, an Indian filmmaker based in Assam, brings a body of work characterized by an intimate visual style that explores resilience and humanity’s connection to the natural world. Her films have been screened at more than 150 festivals worldwide, accumulating over 75 international awards. Her filmography includes “Village Rockstars” (2017), which won Best Feature Film at India’s National Film Awards and served as the country’s submission for the Academy Awards in 2018; “Bulbul Can Sing” (2018); “Tora’s Husband” (2022); “Village Rockstars 2” (2024), which received the Kim Jiseok Award at the 2024 BIFF; and her latest feature, “Not a Hero” (2026), which earned a special mention at the Berlin International Film Festival. Das is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and has previously served on festival juries.
Shan Zuolong is a Chinese producer whose credits include several critically acclaimed titles. He produced Bi Gan’s “Kaili Blues” (2015), which won Best Emerging Director at Locarno, and “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” (2018), an Un Certain Regard selection at Cannes. His recent producing credits feature “Love Is a Gun” (2023), which took the Lion of the Future for Best Debut at Venice; “The Botanist” (2025), a Grand Prix winner at Berlin; and “Resurrection” (2025), which won a Special Prize at Cannes and the Busan Award for Artistic Contribution at last year’s festival. Shan joined the Producers Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2026.
Shim Eun-kyung, a celebrated South Korean actor, has received top acting honors domestically for her roles in “Sunny” (2011) and “Miss Granny” (2014). Her performance in “Miss Granny” specifically earned her wins at the Baeksang Arts Awards, the Chunsa International Film Festival, and the Buil Film Awards. She also achieved international recognition by becoming the first Korean actor to win the Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Actress for her role in “The Journalist” (2019). Most recently, her performance in “Two Seasons, Two Strangers” (2025), which won the Golden Leopard at Locarno, earned her the Kinema Junpo Best Actress Award.
The 31st BIFF is scheduled to take place from October 6 to 15 at the Busan Cinema Center and various other venues throughout the city. The concurrent 21st Asian Contents & Film Market will run from October 10 to 13.
Wait, isn’t Rima Das just a member of the Academy? Interesting choice for a jury that heavily favors debut features from Asia.
Shan Zuolong’s producing credits are impressive. Kaili Blues and Long Day’s Journey are absolute masterpieces of contemporary Asian cinema.
Does the New Currents award still carry the same weight as it did a decade ago? Feel like the landscape has shifted significantly.
Shim Eun-kyung is incredible. Her acting range from Sunny to The Journalist shows serious depth beyond typical leading lady roles.
Rima Das brings such a gentle, human touch to her work. Looking forward to seeing how she approaches these new films.