Iranian film 'Midday Meal' wins top honor at 31st BIFF

Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi's film "Midday Meal" was awarded the prestigious Best Film honor at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), marking a significant achievement for the country's cinematic landscape. This grand prize not only secured a direct pathway for the film to be considered at the upcoming Academy Awards but also awarded Majidi a substantial cash prize of 50 million won ($37,180).

The announcement of the top honor was made during the closing ceremony at the Busan Cinema Center outdoor theater, concluding a ten-day festival that commenced on October 6. Yim Si-wan, an acclaimed actor, served as the sole host of the event, which presented the award after unanimous agreement among all seven members of the jury.

Zhang Yimou, the Jury President, commended "Midday Meal" as the perfect selection, highlighting it as the ideal film that resonated with all jurors. For Majidi, this recognition was particularly poignant as it was his first visit to Busan, and he credited the energy of the event to his late mother's love. The award's significance was underscored by the automatic qualification for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards, a privilege that further elevated "Midday Meal" on the global stage.