Iranian Director Jafar Panahi Named Asian Filmmaker of the Year at Busan International Film Festival

by Lee Yiseul

Published 22 Jul.2025 11:21(KST)

Updated 23 Jul.2025 07:24(KST)

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Director Jafar Panahi during his visit to the 8th Busan International Film Festival in 2003. Busan Film Festival

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) announced on July 22 that it has selected Iranian director Jafar Panahi as the recipient of this year's Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award.

The Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award is presented annually to an individual or organization that has contributed to the development of the Asian film industry and culture. The award ceremony will take place at the BIFF opening ceremony on September 17 at the Busan Cinema Center.

Jafar Panahi is a director who has continued to create films despite political oppression and censorship in Iranian society. Even after being subjected to arrest, detention, house arrest, and bans on filmmaking and travel, he has persisted in his creative work through unofficial means.

Panahi gained international attention with his feature debut "The White Balloon" (1995), which won the Cam?ra d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. He later received the Golden Leopard at the Locarno International Film Festival for "The Mirror" (1997), the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival for "The Circle" (2002), and the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival for "Taxi" (2015). This year, with his new film "It Was Just an Accident" (2025), he was awarded the Palme d'Or at Cannes, becoming the first Asian director to win the top prize at all three major international film festivals.

Through BIFF, Panahi shared his thoughts: "At a time when making films in Iran is becoming more difficult every day, this award serves as a reminder that cinema can still transcend borders, languages, and any limitations. I accept this award on behalf of all those who, whether in silence, in exile, or under pressure, do not stop creating."