Goldfish and A Chronicle of Minor Things Win Busan APM Prizes

The film industry recently turned its attention to South Korea for the Busan Asian Project Market, where a diverse selection of upcoming regional cinema was celebrated. Two standout projects successfully captured a combined total of five prizes, proving the immense creative momentum present in contemporary Asian filmmaking. The event formed a core component of the broader Asian Contents and Film Market festivities.

Indonesian director Aditya Ahmad emerged as a major force at the market, with his debut feature project titled 'Goldfish' securing three distinct accolades. The film won the QCinema Special Award, the Kongchak Studio Award, and the VIPO Award. Set in South Sulawesi, the narrative centers on a young boy who decides to flee from his father, drawing heavily from the director's own childhood surroundings. Produced by Muhammad Zaidy and Meiske Taurisia, the project previously received financial support from the Asian Cinema Fund Script Development Fund before its successful run of business meetings at the market.

Meanwhile, Indian filmmaker Tribeny Rai claimed two major prizes with her working-title project, 'A Chronicle of Minor Things.' Produced by Kislay, the film was honored with the Sørfond Award and the prestigious APM Busan Award. The latter citation specifically praised the project for its original story structure and the subtle, effective integration of a social issue into the narrative. Judges also noted that the film's unique setting and universal themes possess strong potential to resonate deeply with international audiences beyond India.

Beyond the dual dominant winners, several other notable regional projects received recognition during the ceremony. Actor-director Reza Rahadian took home the CJ ENM Award for his deeply personal family drama titled 'Casparina.' Other honorees included Kim Jinyeong for 'Red Hunger' and Panu Aree for 'Fātimah,' highlighting technological and artistic achievements in storytelling. Yen Hao-hsuan's Taiwanese project 'Uncle' earned the CathayPlay Award for its respectful portrayal of an intellectually disabled character navigating societal change.

Additional winners featured Park Syeyoung's 'Satellite of Love' and E Del Mundo's 'Once Upon a Time in the Philippines,' rounding out a robust roster of international talent. The market continues to serve as an essential launchpad for independent filmmakers, connecting visionary creators with vital funding, co-production partners, and global distribution prospects as they bring their distinctive stories to the silver screen.