Rima Das joins Busan Film Festival jury for New Currents Award 2026
Synopsis
Rima Das, the Assamese filmmaker who put rural India on the global film map with 'Village Rockstars', is now on the other side of the table — as a juror at one of Asia's most watched festivals. Her appointment to the 31st Busan International Film Festival's New Currents Award jury underlines how far independent Indian cinema has travelled on the international circuit.
Key Takeaways
Rima Das has been appointed to the jury panel for the New Currents Award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival .
She joins fellow jurors Chinese producer Shan Zuolong and Korean actor Shim Eun-kyung .
The New Currents Award carries a cash prize of KRW 20 million and recognises debut features in BIFF's Competition or Vision sections.
Das is best known for 'Village Rockstars' , which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and was India's entry for the 91st Academy Awards .
The announcement was made via the official Busan International Film Festival Instagram account on 22 September 2026 .
Acclaimed Assamese filmmaker Rima Das has been appointed to the jury panel for the New Currents Award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), the festival's official handle announced on 22 September 2026. Das, whose rural drama 'Village Rockstars' became India's official entry for the 91st Academy Awards, joins a three-member panel tasked with recognising Asia's emerging directorial voices.
The Full Jury Panel
Alongside Das, the New Currents Award jury comprises Chinese producer Shan Zuolong and Korean actor Shim Eun-kyung. The announcement was made through the official Busan International Film Festival Instagram account, which described the trio as appointed 'to cover Asia's new wave.'
What the New Currents Award Recognises
The New Currents Award has long served as a launchpad for emerging Asian directors, selecting winners from debut feature films screened in BIFF's Competition or Vision sections. The prize carries a cash award of KRW 20 million (Korean won). The festival has historically used this award to spotlight first- and second-time directors before they break through to global prominence.
Rima Das: From Rural Assam to International Stages
Rima Das is known for her intimate, naturalistic filmmaking style, drawing deeply personal narratives from her home state of Assam. She initially trained as an actor before transitioning to direction. Her breakthrough, 'Village Rockstars' — a coming-of-age story set in rural Assam — won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and earned India a coveted spot on the Academy Awards shortlist, bringing her international recognition.
India's Growing Presence at Asian Film Forums
Das's inclusion on the BIFF jury reflects the rising profile of Indian independent cinema on the international festival circuit. This comes amid growing recognition of films emerging from Northeast India, a region whose stories had long remained outside mainstream distribution networks. Notably, Das's appointment at one of Asia's most prestigious festivals signals that her naturalistic, community-rooted filmmaking has resonated well beyond domestic audiences.
The 31st Busan International Film Festival is expected to draw filmmakers and industry figures from across Asia and beyond, with the New Currents jury's decisions closely watched as an early indicator of Asia's next generation of directorial talent.
Point of View
Indian independent film still lacks the institutional backing to consistently reach these platforms. Das got there largely on the strength of her work and word-of-mouth; a more systematic pipeline for Northeast Indian voices at international festivals remains absent. Her presence on this jury may inspire the next generation, but structural support is what will sustain them.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Rima Das been appointed to the Busan International Film Festival jury?
Rima Das has been appointed as a juror for the New Currents Award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival, recognising her stature as an acclaimed Asian filmmaker. Her film 'Village Rockstars' won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and was India's official entry for the 91st Academy Awards, giving her significant credibility in evaluating emerging Asian directors.
What is the New Currents Award at Busan International Film Festival?
The New Currents Award is one of BIFF's most prestigious honours, awarded to debut feature films screened in the festival's Competition or Vision sections. It carries a cash prize of KRW 20 million and has historically served as an early platform for directors who later achieved international recognition.
Who are the other jurors for the New Currents Award at BIFF 2026?
Alongside Rima Das, the jury includes Chinese producer Shan Zuolong and Korean actor Shim Eun-kyung. The three jurors were confirmed through an official announcement by the Busan International Film Festival's social media channels.
What is Rima Das known for?
Rima Das is an Assamese filmmaker celebrated for her intimate, naturalistic storytelling rooted in the landscapes and communities of rural Assam. Her film 'Village Rockstars' won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and represented India at the 91st Academy Awards.
How was the Busan jury announcement made?
The Busan International Film Festival announced the New Currents Award jury members through its official Instagram account, naming Rima Das (India, Director), Shan Zuolong (China, Producer), and Shim Eun-kyung (Korea, Actor) as the three jurors for the 31st edition.
