Shu Qi’s ‘Girl,’ Zhang Lu’s ‘Gloaming in Luomu’ Take Top Honors as Busan Closes First-Ever Competition

The 30th Busan International Film Festival wrapped its 10-day run Friday with the closing ceremony at the Busan Cinema Center, marking a milestone year that introduced the inaugural Busan Award competition section alongside traditional honors.

Zhang Lu‘s “Gloaming in Luomu” took home the festival’s top prize for best film in the new Busan Award category, while Shu Qi earned best director recognition for “Girl.” The competition section also honored Han Chang-lok’s “Funky Freaky Freaks” with the special jury award.

In the acting categories, Lee Jiwon claimed best actor honors for “En Route To,” sharing the recognition with a trio from “Baka’s Identity” — Kitamura Takumi, Ayano Go, and Hayashi Yuta. The artistic contribution award went to “Resurrection” for production design by Liu Qiang and Tu Nan.

“En Route To” proved a double winner, with director Yoo Jaein also capturing the New Currents award, one of BIFF’s most prestigious honors for emerging filmmakers.

The BIFF Mecenat Awards were divided across regional categories, with Ju Romi and Kim Taeil’s “Raining Dust” winning the Korea prize, while Hemen Khaledi’s “Singing Wings” took the Asia award. Ko Hyoju’s “Relay Race” earned a special mention.

The Sonje Awards similarly split between Korea and Asia, honoring Kim Sang-yun’s “It Sounds Louder on Rainy Days” domestically and Wang Han-xuan’s “Delay” for the regional prize. Kawazoe Aya’s “Interface” received a special mention.

Busan’s inaugural competition was judged by a seven-member jury presided over by Na Hong-jin, with Tony Leung Ka-fai, Nandita Das, Marziyeh Meshkini, Kogonada, Yulia Evina Bhara and Han Hyo-joo serving as members.

The festival ran Sep. 17-26.

Complete List of Winners:

Busan Award:

• Best Film: “Gloaming in Luomu” (Dir. Zhang Lu)
• Best Director: “Girl” (Dir. Shu Qi)
• Special Jury Award: “Funky Freaky Freaks” (Dir. Han Chang-lok)
• Best Actor: Lee Jiwon (“En Route To”)
• Best Actor: Kitamura Takumi, Ayano Go, Hayashi Yuta (“BAKA’s Identity”)
• Artistic Contribution Award: “Resurrection” (Liu Qiang, Tu Nan – Production Design)

New Currents Award:

• “En Route To” (Dir. Yoo Jaein)

BIFF Mecenat Award:

• Korea: “Raining Dust” (Dir. Ju Romi, Kim Taeil)
• Asia: “Singing Wings” (Dir. Hemen Khaledi)
• Special Mention: “Relay Race” (Dir. Ko Hyoju)

Sonje Award:

• Korea: “It Sounds Louder on Rainy Days” (Dir. Kim Sang-yun)
• Asia: “Delay” (Dir. Wang Han-xuan)
• Special Mention: “Interface” (Dir. Kawazoe Aya)