Michael Rosser
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International News Editor, Screen International
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Articles by Michael Rosser
Majid Majidi’s ‘Midday Meal’ wins Busan Award as festival hits biggest audience since 2015
Source: Busan International Film Festival ‘Midday Meal’ Majid Majidi’s Iranian drama Midday Meal won the Busan Award for best film at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) on Thursday (October 15) as the festival reported its biggest audience figures since 2015. The film, about a teacher who becomes an oil smuggler to save his village school, wins a prize of $37,000 (KRW50m) and qualifies for submission to the Academy Awards in the best international feature film category.
Tokyo film festival to host US Academy programme including Oscars talk
Source: Courtesy of the Academy Bill Kramer The Academy is heading to Tokyo International Film Festival for a special programme of events that will include a talk with AMPAS CEO Bill Kramer and a behind-the-scenes look at the Oscars. The programme, titled Academy in Tokyo, will host a delegation of senior AMPAS executives at the festival in late October.
Mongolian satire ‘Zogsool’ leads Busan Vision Awards with four prizes
Source: Busan International Film Festival ‘Zogsool’ Sakhya Byamba’s Zogsool led the Vision Awards at Busan International Film Festival on Wednesday (October 14), taking home four trophies. The Mongolia-German production won the Netpac Award, Fipresci Award, Hylife Vision Award and Vision of Jiseok Award. The latter two each include a cash prize of $7,500 (KRW10m).
Tribeny Rai’s ‘A Chronicle of Minor Things’, ‘Goldfish’ lead Busan’s Asian Project Market 2026 winners
Source: ACFM Asian Project Market 2026 winners A Chronicle of Minor Things by Indian director Tribeny Rai has won the top prize at Busan’s Asian Project Market, which also saw Indonesian project Goldfish hook three awards. Rai’s upcoming feature scooped the APM Busan Award, which includes a cash prize of $15,000. The film, currently in development, revolves around the death of a teenage girl, who is found hanging from a tree on the boundary of two villages.
Five nations launch Asian Producers Alliance in Busan
Source: APA Asian Producers Alliance launch in Busan Independent film producers from across Asia have formed a new coalition dedicated to advancing co-production across the region and protecting creators’ intellectual property. The Asian Producers Alliance (APA) brings together production organisations from South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Japan’s Free Stone Productions relaunches doc about late artist Yayoi Kusama
EXCLUSIVE: The avant-garde artist known as the Polka Dot Queen died in August Source: Pike Production ‘Yayoi Kusama: I Adore Myself’ EXCLUSIVE: Japan’s Free Stone Productions is relaunching a documentary about artist Yayoi Kusama, following her death in August. The film, titled Yayoi Kusama: I Adore Myself, was originally released in 2008 and played festivals including New York’s Japan Cuts, where it won the audience award.
Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market evolves with added focus on AI and microdramas
Source: ACFM Busan Exhibition & Convention Center hosts the Asian Contents & Film Market The Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) returns for its 21st edition with a lineup that increasingly extends beyond the traditional business of buying and selling films. Running from October 10-13 at Busan’s Bexco exhibition centre, the market is positioning itself as a meeting point for sales, streaming, intellectual property, artificial intelligence, microdramas and international co-production.
Hive Filmworks boards first non-Korean film with Japan’s ‘Wandance’
Source: Hive Filmworks ‘Wandance’ Seoul-based Hive Filmworks has expanded its sales slate with its first-ever non-Korean title. The company has secured sales rights to Japanese feature Wandance, starring Jo from Japanese boy band &Team, based on the hip-hop manga series of the same name. It marks the start of Hive’s plans to expand its slate with titles from outside Korea and will be launched to international buyers at the ACFM this week.
Bitters End to launch surreal comedy ‘It’s All Bananas!’ at Busan’s ACFM
Source: Bitters End ‘It’s All Bananas!’ EXCLUSIVE: Japan’s Bitters End has acquired world sales rights to comedy It’s All Bananas and will introduce international buyers to the feature at Busan’s ACFM this week. The film is led by three Japanese pop stars — Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Shingo Katori and Goro Inagaki — who find themselves caught up in a series of bizarre and seemingly disconnected events.
Saudi Arabia enters ‘A Matter Of Life And Death’ to Oscars
Source: Film Clinic / Front Row Filmed Entertainment ‘A Matter Of Life And Death’ Anas Ba Tahaf’s romantic comedy A Matter Of Life And Death has been submitted by Saudi Arabia for best international feature film at the 99th Academy Awards. The film was selected by a committee appointed to determine the Kingdom’s official submission and announced by the Saudi Film Commission.
Syria’s ‘The Other Side Of The Sun’ submitted to Oscars, lands US distribution
Source: Adana Films ‘The Other Side Of The Sun’ Tawfik Sabouni’s documentary The Other Side Of The Sun has been submitted as Syria’s entry to the Academy Awards and is set for a US theatrical release through Icarus Films. It marks the country’s first entry since fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad, who was president of Syria from 2000 until being overthrown in December 2024.
MBC Studios thriller ‘Traveller’s Hell’ readies long-awaited release
Source: MBC Studios ‘Traveller’s Hell’ Traveller’s Hell, a long-awaited Saudi psychological thriller based on a bestselling novel by Osamah Almuslim, has wrapped its edit and is set for a local theatrical release on November 19. MBC Studios, the production arm of Middle East broadcaster MBC Group, said the film would open in Saudi Arabia through Qanawat Distribution before rolling out to further Arab cities in the following weeks.
Chinese box office leader ‘Traces Of Justice’ lands UK-Ireland distribution
Source: Trinity CineAsia ‘Traces Of Justice ’ Trinity CineAsia has secured UK and Ireland and Malta distribution rights to Chen Sicheng’s Traces Of Justice from Beijing-based Blossoms Entertainment. The crime thriller led China’s box office on Thursday (October 1), the first day of the weeklong National Day holiday, earning $10.5m (RMB71m) – nearly 40% of total ticket sales, according to ticketing platform Maoyan.
Tokyo film festival reveals 2026 lineup including 15-strong Competition selection
Source: Uluka Studio ‘Fuxi: Four Tales Of Feasting’ Tokyo International Film Festival has unveiled the full lineup for its 39th edition, including 15 titles in its Competition strand and the features that will compete for the Asian Future and new Nippon Cinema Now awards. The festival has programmed 204 films, up from 183 in 2025, and will take place from October 26 to November 4.
‘Final Payment’, ‘Congo Boy’ win top awards at Pingyao film festival 2026
Source: Pingyao IFF Pingyao Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon International Film Festival winners 2026 Chinese drama Final Payment and Rafiki Fariala’s Congo Boy have been awarded the top prizes at the 10th Pingyao Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon International Film Festival. The festival, founded by Jia Zhangke in China’s Shanxi province, handed out its awards at a ceremony on Tuesday (September 29).
‘My Killer Crush’ starring Kim Jae-won, Chung Su-bin set for Busan market with Barunson E&A
Source: Barunson E&A ‘My Killer Crush’ EXCLUSIVE: Barunson E&A is set to launch international sales on quirky coming-of-age romance My Killer Crush at the upcoming Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM, October 10-13) in Busan. The upcoming Korean feature is led by rising star Kim Jae-won, who has earned major attention this year for his performance in Yumi’s Cells season three, and Chung Su-bin, whose credits include Berlinale 2024 award-winner It’s Okay.
Mipo O, Mohammad Rasoulof to receive Kurosawa Akira Award at Tokyo film festival 2026
Source: Courtesy of TIFF Mipo O, Mohammad Rasoulof Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) is set to honour filmmakers Mipo O and Mohammad Rasoulof with the Kurosawa Akira Award. The award is presented to filmmakers who have made waves in cinema and are expected to help guide the industry’s future, while also honouring Kurosawa’s legacy. A ceremony to present the awards will take place during the upcoming festival, which runs October 26–November 4.
Rolf de Heer named 2026 Tokyo jury president
Source: Courtesy of Tokyo IFF Rolf de Heer Australian auteur Rolf de Heer will preside over the international competition jury at the 39th Tokyo International Film Festival. The veteran director of Ten Canoes and Charlie’s Country will help select the winners of the Tokyo Grand Prix, special jury prize, best director, actor and actress, and artistic contribution. His fellow jury members have yet to be revealed and the competition titles will be announced on October 1.
Red Sea International Film Festival postponed until 2027
Source: Screen File Red Sea International Film Festival The Red Sea International Film Festival will not go ahead this year and has been postponed until 2027. The sixth edition of the festival was due to take place from December 3-12 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but will now take place in Q4 2027.
Chinese box office hit ‘Once Upon A Time In The Middle East’ lands North American distribution
Source: Courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment ‘Once Upon A Time In The Middle East’ Well Go USA Entertainment has acquired North American distribution rights to Chinese war drama Once Upon A Time In The Middle East, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Wen Muye. The acquisition follows the film’s strong theatrical performance in China, where it has grossed more than $318m to date. Well Go USA Entertainment will release the film across North America on October 9.
Poland enters Pawel Pawlikowski’s ‘Fatherland’ to 2027 international Oscar race
Source: Agata Grzybowska ‘Fatherland’ Poland has submitted Pawel Pawlikowski’s Cannes award-winner Fatherland to represent the country in the best international feature Oscar category. The film was chosen by the Polish Selection Committee. Poland previously won the international feature film Academy Award in 2015 with Pawlikowski’s Ida. The filmmaker was also selected for the category in 2018 with Cold War, which secured a nomination and saw the filmmaker also secure an Oscar nod for best director.
Dubai International Film Festival set to return in 2027
Source: DIFF Dubai International Film Festival 2016 The Dubai International Film Festival is set to be revived after a 10-year hiatus and due to return on December 8, 2027. The announcement was made by Mona Ghanem Al Marri, vice chairperson and managing director of the Dubai Media Council, on Thursday (September 17) during the Arab Media Summit.
Zhang Yimou to lead seven-strong Competition jury at Busan International Film Festival 2026
Source: Tokyo IFF Zhang Yimou Acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou is to preside over Competition jury at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which includes seven feted filmmakers from across Asia. Judging the 13 titles alongside Zhang will be Chinese director Bi Gan, South Korean actor Moon Choi, Japanese filmmaker Kei Ishikawa, Korean director July Jung, Vietnamese producer Tran Thi Bich Ngoc and Kazak actor Samal Yeslyamova.
AGBO’s Chris Brearton, Dominic Hughes to deliver AI-themed keynote at Tokyo’s TIFFCOM
Source: AGBO Chris Brearton, Dominic Hughes The keynote at this year’s TIFFCOM market in Tokyo is set to be delivered by Chris Brearton and Dominic Hughes of AGBO, the US independent studio behind the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. The session will focus on the artist-led use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and other tools, and on bringing technology and storytelling together. It is set to take place on October 29.
Cate Blanchett set for Tokyo film festival with Displacement Film Fund premieres
Source: Tom Munro Cate Blanchett Cate Blanchett is set to attend the upcoming Tokyo International Film Festival for the Japanese premieres of five shorts backed by her Displacement Film Fund. They include shorts by acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof and Afghanistan’s Shahrbanoo Sadat, who will both join a Q&A session with Blanchett after the films are screened on October 30.
Finecut scores sales of features based on short-form series with K-pop stars
Source: Courtesy of Finecut ‘Wind Up: The Movie’ South Korea’s Finecut has landed sales of three feature films led by K-pop stars that started out as short-form series. The sales company has sold theatrical versions of occult comedy After-School Exorcism Club: Girls’ Night, fantasy romance Wi-Fi Love In The Palace and Wind Up: The Movie. After-School Exorcism Club: Girls’ Night has been acquired for Indonesia (Catchplay+), Singapore (Shaw Organisation) and Taiwan (Cola Films).
Korean occult feature ‘The Uninvited’ makes TIFF market debut with CJ 4DPlex
Source: CJ 4DPLEX ‘The Uninvited’ EXCLUSIVE: South Korea’s CJ 4DPlex has secured sales rights to Heo Jung’s upcoming occult mystery feature The Uninvited and is introducing buyers to the project at TIFF: The Market. The film has a starry cast that is led by Byun Yo-han of 2022 blockbuster Hansan: Rising Dragon, Ahn Jae-hong from box office phenomenon The King’s Warden, and Ha Yoon-kyong of acclaimed drama series Undercover Miss Kong and Busan award-winner Concerning My Daughter.
Toronto reveals increase in Asian submissions aiming to boost exposure
Source: BHD ‘Spirit Guardians: The Last Secret Of The First Emperor’ Toronto has seen a boost in submissions from across Asia as productions seek to benefit from the TIFF bump, according to chief programming officer Anita Lee. It follows major box office success for a string of titles from South Korea that benefitted from exposure at the festival.
15 TIFF acquisition titles to entice buyers
Source: Courtesy of TIFF Back In Black / The Face Of Horror / Paradise Lost Screen highlights a selection of acquisition titles screening at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in the coming days. TIFF runs September 10-20. Alpha Gang (US) Special Presentations Dirs. David Zellner, Nathan Zellner The absurdist sci-fi comedy premiered in Telluride and follows aliens who invade Earth posing as a biker gang in the 1950s.
Tokyo Gap-Financing Market reveals 2026 lineup, partners with Frontières on genre titles
The Tokyo Gap-Financing Market has selected 24 projects for its 2026 edition and has partnered with Canada’s Frontières platform to showcase upcoming genre titles. The 7th edition of the financing and development platform is set to take place from October 28-30 during TIFFCOM, the content market of Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF).
MAD World boards ‘God’s Work’, expanding non-Arab slate ahead of TIFF: The Market
Source: MAD Solutions ‘God’s Work’ EXCLUSIVE: MAD World, the global sales arm of Cairo-based MAD Solutions, has secured world sales rights to Michael James’s South African drama God’s Work. It marks the second South African title picked up by MAD World in collaboration with Mojo Entertainment, following the company’s partnership on Zamo Mkhwanazi’s Laundry (Uhlanjululo) – MAD Solutions’ first acquisition of a non-Arab title.
Toronto-bound ‘Long Long Night’, Hong Sangsoo’s ‘Nowhere To Lay My Eyes’ land sales
Source: Finecut ‘Long Long Night’ South Korea’s Finecut has closed sales of Toronto-bound animation Long Long Night, Hong Sangsoo’s Locarno award-winner Nowhere To Lay My Eyes and Cannes Directors’ Fortnight title Dora. Long Long Night has pre-sold to Japan’s Geek Pictures ahead of its world premiere in the Centrepiece section of Toronto. It will go on to play in Competition at Busan and the competitive Anima’t section of Sitges next month.
Tokyo film festival adds new awards and Southeast Asia focus
Source: Kino Lorber Filipinana Tokyo International Film Festival is adding three new initiatives ahead of its 39th edition – competition prizes for Japanese films, an honorary award for women in cinema and a section highlighting features from Southeast Asia. The long-running Nippon Cinema Now section, focussed on contemporary Japanese film, will introduce two awards that include best film and a special jury prize.
Mad Solutions partners with Haitham Dabbour’s Irth to develop Arab films and series
Source: MAD Solutions (l-r) Alaa Karkouti, Haitham Dabbour, Maher Diab Cairo-based film and talent group Mad Solutions has forged a partnership with Haitham Dabbour’s drama outfit Irth to develop Arab film and television projects for both regional and international markets. The alliance will combine Irth’s creative and development infrastructure with Mad Solutions’ distribution and sales network, talent management, production and marketing.
MAD World boards Toronto title ‘Thirteen In Gaza’, first fiction feature shot in Gaza in 12 years
Source: MAD World ‘Thirteen in Gaza’ EXCLUSIVE: MAD World, the film sales arm of Cairo-based MAD Solutions, has acquired worldwide sales rights to Palestinian drama Thirteen In Gaza ahead of its world premiere in Toronto’s Centrepiece section. The film, the first fiction feature to be shot entirely in Gaza in 12 years, was filmed with a local Palestinian cast and crew under wartime conditions. It marks the feature directorial debut of Gaza-based filmmaker Hosam Abu Dan.
‘Sukiyaki’, ‘Colony’ to bookend Tokyo film festival 2026 with ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ as Centerpiece
Source: Toho ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ The 39th Tokyo International Film Festival is set to open with the world premiere of musical drama Sukiyaki and close with Korean zombie blockbuster Colony with monster sequel Godzilla Minus Zero set as the Centrepiece feature. Opening the festival on October 26, Sukiyaki is based on the true story of a Japanese song that spent three weeks at the top of the US Billboard charts in 1963.
Barunson E&A to launch sales on Joko Anwar’s ‘Satan’s Slaves: Origin’ at TIFF: The Market
Source: Barunson E&A ‘Satan’s Slaves: Origin’ South Korea’s Barunson E&A is to handle international sales of Satan’s Slaves: Origin, the latest in the blockbuster Indonesian horror franchise directed by Joko Anwar. The leading studio, best known for producing Oscar-winner Parasite, will launch the project at TIFF: The Market in Toronto next week.
'Exhuma' director Jang Jae-hyun readies ‘Vampir' shoot starring Yoo Ah-in
Further cast include Lee Sung-min, Lee Jun-hyuk and Yoon Kyung-ho. By Michael Rosser 19 Aug 2026 Jang Jae-hyun, the director of Korean blockbuster Exhuma, is set to begin filming horror Vampir this month with an all-star cast led by Yoo Ah-in. The star of Lee Chang-dong’s Burning and last year’s box office hit The Match, Yoo will play a contract killer who tracks down a mysterious pagan group at the request of a clergyman.
Kim Jong-kwan’s ‘The Table: Day And Night’ to open 2026 Busan International Film Festival
Source: Busan International Film Festival ‘The Table: Day And Night’ Busan International Film Festival has selected Kim Jong-kwan’s romantic drama The Table: Day And Night as the opening film of its upcoming 31st edition. The film will receive its world premiere at the festival, which is due to run October 6-15. The story follows four couples as they experience different moments of love at a single café from summer to autumn.
Busan’s Asian Contents & Film Market names Japan country of focus for Producer Hub 2026
Source: BIFF Asian Contents & Film Market 2026 Japan has been selected as the focus country for Producer Hub at the upcoming Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) – the industry platform of Busan International Film Festival.
Peter Ho-Sun Chan’s ‘The Road Not Taken’ lands sales agent ahead of Toronto premiere
Source: Courtesy of TIFF ‘The Road Not Taken’ Hong Kong’s Moebius Entertainment has secured sales rights to Peter Ho-Sun Chan’s upcoming drama The Road Not Taken, ahead of its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival. It was announced today (August 11) that the feature will play in TIFF’s Special Presentations programme. The story follows a former TV host, played by Zhou Xun, who begins to lose her memory.
Hong Kong New Wave icon Ann Hui to receive Camellia Award at Busan International Film Festival 2026
Source: Busan International Film Festival Ann Hui Acclaimed Hong Kong filmmaker Ann Hui is to receive the Camellia Award at Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), honouring her contribution to elevating the status of women in the film industry. She will receive the award at the opening ceremony of the festival’s 31st edition on October 6 at Busan Cinema Center in South Korea.
‘Inherit’: exclusive first trailer for Banjong Pisanthanakun’s TIFF horror starring Davika Hoorne
EXCLUSIVE: Screen can reveal the first teaser trailer for Banjong Pisanthanakun’s Thai horror Inherit, ahead of its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival. The film stars Davika Hoorne – from Cannes Critics’ Week Grand Prize winner A Useful Ghost – as Woranart, who returns home looking as young and beautiful as when she disappeared 50 years ago.
Busan’s Asian Project Market reveals 2026 selection including Reza Rahadian, Kangdrun, Mouly Surya films
Source: Busan IFF Busan International Film Festival Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has revealed 30 titles selected for the 2026 Asian Project Market (APM), including upcoming features by Reza Rahadian, Kangdrun, Mouly Surya and Nanako Hirose. The co-production and financing market, which runs as part of BIFF’s Asian Contents and Film Market (ACFM), is set to take place from October 10-13 in Busan, South Korea.
South Korea box office bounces back in H1 2026 led by ‘The King’s Warden’, ‘Project Hail Mary’
Source: Showbox ‘The King’s Warden’ South Korea’s box office showed signs of recovery in the first half of 2026 as theatrical revenue climbed 41.9% year-on-year, recovering to 94.2% of pre-pandemic levels. Local titles such as The King’s Warden and Colony alongside imports Project Hail Mary and Avatar: Fire And Ash help generate revenue of $398.7m (KRW579bn) from 57.05 million admissions in H1.
Netflix sets theatrical releases for Lee Chang-dong’s ‘Possible Love’ ahead of Toronto, Venice premieres
Source: Netflix ‘Possible Love’ Netflix has revealed theatrical release dates for Lee Chang-dong’s upcoming feature Possible Love, ahead of its debut at Venice and Toronto. The film will open in South Korean cinemas on September 23, followed by Australia on October 22, and the US, Canada, UK, Ireland and Japan on October 23. It will become available to stream on Netflix from November 6.
‘Fujiko’, ‘My Name’ win top prizes at New York Asian Film Festival 2026
Source: NYAFF ‘Fujiko’, ‘My Name’ Japanese drama Fujiko has won the Uncaged Award for best feature film at the 25th New York Asian Film Festival, where South Korea’s My Name scooped the audience award. Directed by Kimura Taichi, Fujiko follows a single mother in 1970s and ‘80s Japan as she refuses to surrender to societal pressures, raising her daughter with humour and resilience.
Prime Video strikes major deal with CJ ENM to bring 100+ Korean titles to India
Source: Prime Video India (l-r) Jangho Seo (CJ ENM), Shilangi Mukherji (Prime Video India), Manish Menghani (Prime Video India) Prime Video India and South Korea’s CJ ENM have closed a multi-year distribution deal to significantly expand the streamer’s K-content offering for Indian audiences. The collaboration will see a slate of 26 new titles from CJ ENM being rolled out over the next two years, alongside popular series from the Korean entertainment giant’s content library.
Edko Films boards Toronto-bound Hong Kong drama ‘We Are Born Good’
Source: 2026 GoodNight Production Limited ‘We Are Born Good’ Hong Kong-based Edko Films has secured international sales rights to Yeung Leung Chuen’s We Are Born Good, ahead of its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival. The film, which will play in TIFF’s Discovery section, centres on a feud between a man and woman. What begins as a mishap at a restaurant leads to a cycle of revenge that begins to harm those closest to them.
Moebius Entertainment boards ‘Happily Ever After’ ahead of Toronto premiere
Source: Toronto IFF ‘Happily Ever After’ Hong Kong-based sales outfit Moebius Entertainment has acquired international sales rights (excluding Taiwan) to Happily Ever After, the second feature from Taiwanese filmmaker Feng-i Fiona Roan. The film will receive its world premiere in the Special Presentations section of Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The story follows two sisters with vastly different personalities and a stray cat that unexpectedly enters their lives.
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