Actor-filmmaker Nandita Das has been named to the seven-member competition jury at the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), organisers announced Wednesday.
The prestigious panel will be led by celebrated South Korean director Na Hong-Jin as jury president, marking the festival’s newly launched competitive section featuring the inaugural Busan Award.
Winners across five categories—Best Film, Best Director, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor, and Artistic Contribution—will be revealed at the closing ceremony.
Jury President Na Hong-Jin stands as a leading figure in contemporary Korean cinema, renowned internationally for gripping thrillers like The Chaser, The Yellow Sea, and The Wailing.
His recent executive production of the Thai-Korean co-production The Medium and upcoming film Hope—starring Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Hoyeon, Alicia Vikander, and Michael Fassbender—further solidify his global stature.
Nandita Das brings significant artistic and adjudication experience to the panel.
A prominent voice in Indian cinema, her award-winning performances in films like Earth, Fire, and Bawandar preceded her acclaimed transition to directing with Firaaq (2008).
Her subsequent directorial works Manto and Zwigato have cemented her reputation, while her prior jury service at festivals including Cannes adds valuable perspective.
The jury’s international scope is reflected in its diverse membership.
Hong Kong cinema legend Tony Leung Ka-fai, known for iconic performances in The Lover, Cold War, and over 80 other films spanning decades, joins the panel.
Iranian New Wave pioneer Marziyeh Meshkiny, a Makhmalbaf Film School graduate acclaimed for directorial works like The Day I Became a Woman and Stray Dogs, brings her distinct vision.
Korean-American filmmaker Kogonada, celebrated for Columbus, After Yang, and the series Pachinko, contributes his unique aesthetic, with his upcoming film A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025) starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell generating significant anticipation.
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Indonesian producer Yulia Evina Bhara, instrumental in expanding Southeast Asian cinema through projects like Stone Turtle and The Fox King, rounds out the panel alongside South Korean actor Han Hyo-joo, whose versatile performances in Moving, Cold Eyes, and Brilliant Legacy have propelled her global reach.
BIFF Festival Director Jung Hanseok emphasised the strategic composition of the expanded jury, increased from five to seven members this year.
“For this inaugural competition, we sought discerning eyes, bold perspectives, and international influence,” he stated.
“Expanding the panel broadens deliberations, and I eagerly anticipate which outstanding Asian films this distinguished group, led by President Na, will recognise.”
