Busan International Film Festival Announces Selections for the Asian Project Market
The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has unveiled the 30 chosen projects for this year’s Asian Project Market. Notably, the selection includes two projects backed by renowned Indian actresses.
Among the selected works is Difficult Daughters, directed by Soni Razdan. This project is notably produced by Alia Bhatt and her sister Shaheen Bhatt, in collaboration with seasoned indie producer Alan McAlex, known for Santosh.
Kani Kusruti, acclaimed for her role in the Cannes Palme d’Or winner All We Imagine As Light, joins forces with that film’s director, Payal Kapadia, to produce The Last Of Them Plagues, a new film directed by Kunjila Mascillamani. Last year, Kusruti was a jury member at BIFF for the New Currents category.
The festival’s line-up also features several returning BIFF affiliates. Indian filmmaker Pradip Kurbah, who won the 2019 Jiseok Award, introduces his latest work, Moon. Bangladeshi director Biplob Sarkar, a previous participant in BIFF’s New Currents, returns with an LGBTQ+-themed project, The Magical Men. Moreover, from Malaysia, Lau Kok Rui of the BIFF 2022 Asian Film Academy is presenting Wake Me up When the Mourning Ends, with producers Soi Cheang, Stefano Centini, and Wong Kew Soon.
The project list includes five Chinese-language projects, with three hailing from Taiwan and centered around female leads. Japan contributes three projects from esteemed directors Shiraishi Kazuya, Fujita Naoya, and Zhang Yaoyuan, exploring themes from the plight of foreign laborers to the struggles of identity among reclusive women and the diverse challenges faced by Japanese youth.
From Korea, seven projects have been selected, featuring both new and mid-career directors. Notable entries include Gilddong by Park Riwoong, who previously won the New Currents Award at BIFF 2024 for The Land Of Morning Calm; Arrival Of Water from Jo Heeyoung; Dance Dance Revolution by Choi Hana, known for More Than Family; and The Descent by Kim Hyoeun, following her 2024 BIFF invitation for Tango At Dawn.
The Asian Project Market (APM) is scheduled to take place over four days, from September 20-23, during the 20th Asian Contents & Film Market at BEXCO.
Projects Selected for the Asian Project Market 2025
Supported by the ACF Script Development Fund, the following projects are among those selected:
Arrival Of Water (Korea, Japan)
Dir: Jo Heeyoung
Prod: Park Sejin
Black Star Angel* (Armenia, US)
Dir: Christine Haroutounian
Prod: Maxwell Schwartz, Christine Haroutounian
And many more from various countries, each bringing a unique story and vision, contributing to the diversity and richness of the festival’s offerings. This year’s market promises to showcase a vibrant selection of projects, highlighting new talents and seasoned filmmakers alike.
Daniel Hayes is a business journalist with a focus on market trends, startups, and corporate strategies.
His sharp analysis and investigative reports make complex financial topics accessible to all readers.
