The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) 2024 is set to shine a spotlight on the burgeoning genre of Asian coming-of-age films with its Special Program in Focus titled “Teen Spirit, Teen Movie.” This program will feature a selection of new films that delve into teenage narratives, showcasing some of the most compelling stories emerging from Asia.
The “Teen Spirit, Teen Movie” program compiles the best of Asian coming-of-age stories that have garnered significant attention from the international film industry throughout 2024. The selection includes films that have been celebrated at major film festivals worldwide over the past two years. Among the highlights are “Tiger Stripes” (2023), which won the Grand Prix Prize in Critics’ Week at the Cannes Film Festival 2023, and “City of Wind” (2023), which earned the Orizzonti Award for Best Actor at the Venice International Film Festival 2023.
Other notable films in the program include “My Sunshine” (2024), which was featured in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival 2024; “Happyend” (2024), invited to the Orizzonti section of the Venice International Film Festival 2024; “Girls Will Be Girls” (2024), which won The Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival 2024; and “Fishbone” (2024), recognized with the Best Script Writer Award in the Asian New Talent Section at the Shanghai International Film Festival 2024. Additionally, the world premiere of “The Uniform” (2024) will take place at Busan, offering audiences a first look at this highly anticipated film.
This year’s Special Program in Focus was inspired by the recent surge in exceptional teen coming-of-age films produced across Asia. While Taiwan and Japan have long been recognized for their contributions to this genre, with classics like Edward Yang’s “A Brighter Summer Day” (1991) and Kore-eda Hirokazu’s “Nobody Knows” (2004), other Asian countries are now emerging as strong contenders in the field. Films such as “Tiger Stripes” (2023) from Malaysia, “City of Wind” (2023) from Mongolia, and “Girls Will Be Girls” (2024) from India are part of this wave, offering candid perspectives on the complexities of teenage life.
“These stories capture the hearts of audiences by offering a candid perspective at the hidden truths of the world through the eyes of teenagers, where love and sexuality of teen life are uncovered—sometimes brazenly, sometimes nostalgically, but lovable nonetheless to audiences of all ages,” a BIFF spokesperson noted.
Representing one of the most significant trends in the international film industry, the “Teen Spirit, Teen Movie” program is anticipated to be a must-see at this year’s festival.
The Busan International Film Festival 2024 will run from 2-11 October at the Busan Cinema Center, promising ten days of cinematic exploration and cultural celebration.
Check out the list of films selected for “Teen Spirit, Teen Movie“ program at BIFF 2024.
City of Wind (2023) – A tale of a teenage shaman in Ulaanbaatar navigating adolescence, winner of the Orizzonti Award for Best Actor at Venice 2023.
- Fishbone (2024) – Follows an 18-year-old girl’s emotional journey after failing her college entrance exam, awarded Best Script Writer at Shanghai 2024.
- Girls Will Be Girls (2024) – A story of teenage rebellion and generational conflict, winner of The Audience Award at Sundance 2024.
- Happyend (2024) – Students fight for freedom against a controlling school, featured in Venice’s Orizzonti section and the New York Film Festival.
- I Am the Secret in Your Heart (2024) – A Taiwanese High Teen romance exploring first loves, based on a popular novel.
- My Sunshine (2024) – Chronicles the journey of two young figure skaters, showcased in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes 2024.
- Swimming in a Sand Pool (2024) – A conversation between two high school girls cleaning a pool, directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita.
- Tiger Stripes (2023) – An 11-year-old girl confronts puberty, winner of the Grand Prix Prize in Critics’ Week at Cannes 2023.
- The Uniform (2024) – Set in 1990s Taiwan, this story of love and friendship unfolds between two students sharing a desk at a high school.
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