Alfonso Cuarón Visits Busan, Spotlight on European Women+ Filmmakers
Alfonso Cuarón is set to visit Busan for the 31st BIFF, where he will participate in the opening ceremony and a long‑form conversation. The festival also launches a special section showcasing nine films from European women and genderqueer filmmakers, underscoring a generational shift in European ci…
By Felo News Desk · Published
Alfonso Cuarón, the two‑time Academy Award‑winning director of Gravity and Roma, is scheduled to make his first visit to South Korea as part of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). The Mexican filmmaker will open the festival on October 6 at the Busan Cinema Center and will later sit down with audiences for an in‑depth discussion about the visual language that defines his work.
Festival Highlights and Cuarón’s Program
During his stay, Cuarón will host a special IMAX screening of Gravity, a film he co‑wrote with his son, Jonás Cuarón. The event will be followed by a Q&A session that promises to explore the collaborative process behind the movie’s groundbreaking visual effects. In addition, the younger Cuarón’s own feature, Campeón Gabacho, will make its Asian premiere in BIFF’s World Cinema section. The film, a drama about a Mexican immigrant building a life in the United States, stars Juan Daniel García Treviño, Leslie Grace, Rubén Blades, Eddie Marsan, Rosario Dawson and Cheech Marin. It was produced by Jonás alongside his father and Gabriela Rodríguez under their Esperanto Filmoj banner, with Nicolás Celis also on board.
Jonás Cuarón has carved out his own niche since collaborating with his father on Gravity. His recent works include the desert‑driven thriller Desierto (2015) and the satirical horror Chupa (2023). The Asian premiere of Campeón Gabacho offers a rare opportunity for Korean audiences to see a fresh voice from the Latin American diaspora.
Europe! Voices of Women+ in Film
BIFF is also launching a dedicated program titled Europe! Voices of Women+ in Film, a collaboration with the European Film Promotion (EFP). The initiative will feature nine officially selected films from European women and genderqueer directors, many of which are debut features. The lineup is a mix of period drama, documentary, and contemporary narratives that probe themes of freedom, memory, and family.
- Woman Unknown by May el‑Toukhy – winner of the Golden Lion at Venice and the first Danish woman to receive the prize.
- La Gradiva – Marine Atlan’s debut feature.
- Rehearsals for a Revolution – Pegah Ahangarani’s political drama.
- Everytime – Sandra Wollner’s film, which won the Un Certain Regard Prize at Cannes.
- Föa – Once Upon a Future – Margherita Ferrari’s debut.
- I Rarely Wake Up Dreaming – Isabelle Stever’s contemplative piece.
- Gentle Monster – Marie Kreutzer’s exploration of identity.
- No Good Men – Shahrbanoo Sadat’s socially conscious narrative.
- Too Many Beasts – Sarah Arnold’s debut.
In addition to the nine feature selections, the program includes several other titles such as A Girl’s Story by Judith Godrèche, My Wife Cries by Angela Schanelec, Birds of War by Janay Boulos and Abd Alkader Habak, A Day in the Life of Jo: Chapter Phaedra by Jacqueline Lentzou (winner of the Horizons Award for Best Director at Venice), and Titanic Ocean by Konstantina Kotzamani. Five directors from the program—el‑Toukhy, Godrèche, Ferrari, Lentzou and Kotzamani—will travel to Busan to present their films. Godrèche will also lead a Cine Class session titled “Women, Rewriting the Screen,” while BIFF and EFP will co‑host a panel discussion, “Women Directors: Taking the Scene,” featuring international voices from Iran, China and Afghanistan.
Industry Impact and Future Outlook
Seo Seunghee, BIFF’s programmer, noted that European women directors have become increasingly prominent in the festival’s selection process, both in terms of volume and quality. She highlighted the significance of four of the nine invited films being feature debuts, a clear sign of a generational shift in European cinema. EFP managing director Irina Ignatiew‑Lemke emphasized that the initiative allows underrepresented voices to gain visibility on an international stage, particularly in Asia.
The program is supported by the Creative Europe – MEDIA Programme of the European Union and involves national film promotion organisations such as Austrian Films, Cinecittà, the Czech Film Center, the Danish Film Institute, German Films and Unifrance. Cineuropa serves as the media partner, ensuring broader coverage across the continent.
BIFF will run from October 6 to 15, with the 21st Asian Contents & Film Market taking place from October 10 to 13. The festival promises a robust lineup that blends high‑profile international stars with emerging talent, offering audiences a comprehensive view of contemporary global cinema.
As Cuarón’s visit coincides with the launch of a forward‑thinking program, the 31st BIFF positions itself as a pivotal platform for cross‑cultural dialogue and the promotion of diverse storytelling voices.
What’s Next?
Festival attendees can look forward to a series of Q&A sessions, industry panels, and networking opportunities that will keep the conversation about inclusive filmmaking alive beyond the closing night. The continued collaboration between BIFF and EFP is expected to nurture more projects from European women and genderqueer directors in the coming years.
For cinephiles and industry professionals alike, the 31st Busan International Film Festival offers a rare convergence of celebrated auteurs and emerging talent, underscoring the evolving landscape of global cinema.
Key facts
- Alfonso Cuarón will attend BIFF’s opening ceremony and discuss his filmmaking approach
- The festival features a new program spotlighting nine European women+ directors
- Four of the nine films are debut features, indicating a generational shift
- EFP and BIFF collaborate to promote underrepresented voices in Asia
- The program includes a mix of drama, documentary and contemporary narratives
- Cuarón’s son Jonás Cuarón’s film will have its Asian premiere
Why it matters
The festival’s focus on European women+ filmmakers highlights a critical shift toward greater gender diversity in cinema, while Cuarón’s participation brings star power and cross‑cultural dialogue to the event.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 31st Busan International Film Festival scheduled?
The festival runs from October 6 to 15, 2024, with the Asian Contents & Film Market from October 10 to 13.
What is the focus of the new program at BIFF?
The program, titled "Europe! Voices of Women+ in Film," showcases nine films by European women and genderqueer directors.
Will Alfonso Cuarón be giving a talk?
Yes, he will participate in the opening ceremony and hold an extended conversation with festivalgoers about his camera language and instincts.
Which film by Jonás Cuarón is premiering in Asia?
Jonás Cuarón’s feature "Campeón Gabacho" will have its Asian premiere in BIFF’s World Cinema section.
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “Alfonso Cuaron to Make First Korea Visit at Busan as Festival Also Spotlights European Women+ Filmmakers”
