Busan, July 22 -- The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is set to honour Jafar Panahi, one of Iran's most celebrated filmmakers, with the title of Asian Filmmaker of the Year at its upcoming 30th edition this September.

The prestigious accolade will be presented at the festival's grand inaugural ceremony, set to unfold from September 17 to 26, 2025, in the vibrant South Korean coastal city.

BIFF's annual tribute recognises individuals or organisations whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the advancement of Asian filmmaking. Past recipients include an elite roster of artists and autuers, such as Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Hirokazu Kore-eda, Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung, Ann Hui, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Hou Hsiao-hsien, and the late com...