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

Iranian director Majid Majidi's film "Midday Meal" emerged victorious at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), taking home the prestigious Best Film Award. This significant accolade secured the movie a direct pathway to consideration for the upcoming Academy Awards. The commendation was unveiled during the closing ceremony held at the Busan Cinema Center outdoor theater in Busan, following a 10-day festival that commenced on October 6th.

Hosted by actor Yim Si-wan, the event concluded a successful run, with the festival jury unanimously agreeing on the film's selection. Notably, Jury President Zhang Yimou hailed "Midday Meal" as the perfect film. The grand prize for the winning film under the Busan Award competition section now entitles it to submit for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards.

In addition to the honor, Majidi was presented with a cash prize of 50 million won, equivalent to $37,180. Majidi expressed his gratitude to the festival, describing it as an honor to receive such a substantial prize on his inaugural visit to Busan. He attributed the film's success to the love he had for his late mother, stating that the award meant everything to his career.