KalimNews, August 19, 2025 : Emerging Indian filmmaker Tribeny Rai has achieved a major milestone with her debut feature film Shape of Momo, which has been officially selected for the Vision Section of the 37th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), Asia’s most prestigious and influential film festival held annually in Busan, South Korea.
The Vision Section at BIFF is dedicated to showcasing innovative and thought-provoking works from independent Asian cinema. This selection places Shape of Momo among a distinguished lineup of contemporary films across Asia, highlighting bold storytelling and original cinematic voices from both emerging and mid-career directors.
Founded in 1996, the Busan International Film Festival has grown to become a key platform for discovering new talent and connecting Asian cinema with global audiences. With its focus on nurturing first-time directors and promoting youth engagement in film culture, BIFF is widely celebrated for its role in shaping the future of Asian filmmaking. Its commitment to recognizing new perspectives has contributed significantly to the advancement of regional cinema on an international stage.
In addition to its BIFF selection, Shape of Momo is also scheduled to be screened at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in Spain this September. These dual selections mark a strong international debut for Rai’s directorial journey and serve as a testament to the increasing global recognition of fresh cinematic voices emerging from India’s diverse creative landscape.
The Busan International Film Festival has a rich history of honoring Indian cinema. In 2009, the legendary Indian filmmaker Yash Chopra was named “Asian Filmmaker of the Year” for his contributions to Asian film culture. The “Korean Cinema Award,” presented to those who help globalize Korean cinema, was conferred upon Aruna Vasudev of India in 1997.
Several Indian films and filmmakers have also been recipients of BIFF’s major awards over the years:
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The New Currents Award, given to the two best features by first- or second-time Asian directors, awarded USD 30,000 to The Rite… A Passion by K.N.T. Sastry in 2002 and to Shivamma by Jaishankar Aryar in 2022.
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The KIM Jiseok Award, honoring the legacy of the late Kim Jiseok, was awarded in 2019 to Market directed by Pradip Kurbah and in 2021 to The Rapist directed by Aparna Sen.
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The BIFF Mecenat Award, recognizing the best documentary from Korea and Asia in the Wide Angle section, was awarded in 2009 to The Other Song by Saba Dewan.
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The Sonje Award, which supports the next project of the best short film directors in the Wide Angle section, was awarded in 2011 to Thug Beram by Venkat Amudhan and in 2019 to Nooreh by Ashish Pandey.
BIFF also offers several coveted prizes including:
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Grand Prix: 10,000,000 KRW (~USD 7,200) and a trophy
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Excellence Award: 5,000,000 KRW (~USD 3,500)
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Jury Prize: 2,000,000 KRW (~USD 1,300)
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Audience Award and NETPAC Award (for the best Asian film in competition), each with accompanying recognition and a certificate.
Notably, the Grand Prix-winning film becomes eligible for consideration in the Animated Short Film or Live Action Short Film categories at the Academy Awards®, provided it complies with Academy rules.
Rai’s Shape of Momo entering the Vision Section adds to this distinguished legacy and reflects a new chapter of cinematic excellence rooted in regional narratives but resonating universally. With its entry into two globally recognized festivals—Busan and San Sebastián—the film is poised to make a profound impact on the international film circuit.
The filmmakers expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in the production, calling the journey a “true labour of love.” Their collective dedication is now being rewarded with a platform that has historically catapulted Asian talent to international acclaim.
As Shape of Momo takes its first steps onto the global stage, it not only marks the promising beginning of Tribeny Rai’s career but also strengthens the visibility of independent Indian cinema on the world map.
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