Japanese films win crowds but few prizes at Busan festival

Busan, South Korea –

The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), one of Asia’s biggest film events, draws buyers, programmers and journalists from around the world. It has long served as a launching pad for Japanese films abroad.

While the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF), which starts Oct. 27, has recently programmed more domestic films with overseas appeal — including the worldwide hit “Godzilla Minus One” — the South Korean festival continues to screen major Japanese titles with stars and directors in attendance.

The 30th edition of BIFF, held Sept. 17 to 26, featured 24 Japanese films across all sections, including several features already released in Japan. The lineup ranged from art house fare to commercial hits, with work from both newcomers and established auteurs. This breadth was reflected in the three Japanese entries in the newly launched Competition section: Sho Miyake’s “Two Seasons, Two Strangers,” Daisuke Shigaya’s ”Leave the Cat Alone” and Koto Nagata’s “Baka’s Identity.”