Busan Film Festival closes with Shu Qi best director, Zhang Lu best film

The 31st Busan International Film Festival wrapped up on 15 October 2026 at the Busan Cinema Center, with host Yim Si-wan presenting prizes in the festival's newly launched Busan Award — its first-ever official competition. Veteran Chinese-Korean auteur Zhang Lu took best film for 'Gloaming in Luomu', while Taiwanese screen star Shu Qi won best director with her debut feature 'Girl', a coming-of-age story about a teenager escaping an abusive home in 1980s Taipei. Michelle Yeoh received the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award, Hong Kong's Ann Hui was given the Camellia Award for advancing women in cinema, and festival founder Kim Dong-ho received the Korean Cinema Award. In the Vision strand, the Mongolian-German feature 'Zogsool' was the biggest winner with four prizes including the Vision of Jiseok Award, while Korea's 'Full Moon' by Jeong Jihye took three honours. Running from 6 to 15 October, the edition marked a milestone for the Asian festival as it formally entered the global competition circuit alongside Cannes, Venice and Berlin.