Rima Das Joins Jury for New Currents Award at Busan International Film Festival

Indian filmmaker Rima Das has been named one of the three jurors for the New Currents Award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), further strengthening her long association with the prestigious South Korean festival.

Das will serve on the jury alongside South Korean actor Shim Eun-kyung and Chinese producer Shan Zuolong. The New Currents Award is one of BIFF's key competitive honours and focuses on debut feature films by emerging Asian directors selected in the Competition or Vision sections. The winning filmmaker will receive a cash prize of KRW 20 million (around USD 14,719).

Das, who hails from Assam, is known for her personal and distinctive filmmaking style, with recurring themes including human relationships, resilience and the connection between people and nature. According to BIFF, her films have screened at more than 150 festivals worldwide and received over 75 awards.

Her debut feature “Village Rockstars” (2017) won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Assamese and was selected as India's official entry for the Academy Awards. Her subsequent films, including “Bulbul Can Sing” and “Tora's Husband”, have also travelled to international festivals.

Das has a particularly strong connection with Busan. “Village Rockstars 2” premiered at BIFF in 2024 and won the Kim Jiseok Award. Her latest film, “Not a Hero,” will have its Asian premiere at this year's festival after its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it received a Crystal Bear Special Mention in the Generation Kplus section.

“Not a Hero” follows 11-year-old Mivan, who is sent from the city to live with his aunt in a rural Assamese village. As he gradually adjusts to his surroundings and connects with children, animals and nature, his presence begins to challenge the conservative village's existing order.

Das' upcoming project “Malati, My Love” has also been associated with the Asian Project Market, the industry platform held alongside BIFF.

“With ‘Not a Hero’ also having its Asian Premiere here, I'm especially excited to be part of the festival this year,” Das said, adding that she looked forward to discovering new voices from across Asia.

The 31st Busan International Film Festival will be held from October 6 to 15 at the Busan Cinema Center and other venues across Busan.