Busan film competition showcases Asian cinema's 'strength'

For the first time, a full lineup of movies will compete at Busan's International Film Festival, as it looks to celebrate "progressive" and "humane" regional cinema, the jury said on Thursday.

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The 30th edition of Asia's largest film festival is being revamped this year with a "historic" competition between 14 titles, including four from South Korea. Previous editions have only seen small-scale competitions. A seven-member jury, headed by South Korean filmmaker Na Hong-jin and featuring directors and actors from the region, will select the winners. The entries - six by women filmmakers and five debut features - range from emerging talents to seasoned directors, and explore themes including teenage pregnancy, infectious disease, media censorship and domestic violence.

The winning film will be screened as the festival's closer. "The world itself is going through a lot of crisis," Indian actress-director and jury member Nandita Das told reporters Thursday. "I hope we will choose films that are progressive, that are humane, that bring the world closer." Fellow member and "Pachinko" director Kogonada said he was "hungry for Asian sensibilities."