‘July Memorial Prize’ at Busan int’l film fest to honour spirit of uprising

A new international film award titled the ‘July Memorial Prize’ has been launched at the prestigious Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in South Korea, in a powerful tribute to the recent July Uprising in Bangladesh.

The announcement was made by the Ministry of Culture in a press release on Tuesday, August 19, revealing that the award will be presented for the first time during the 30th edition of BIFF, scheduled to run from 19 to 25 September.

The July Memorial Prize will be awarded to one outstanding film in the festival’s ‘Vision Asia’ section, which showcases bold and innovative cinema from across the Asian continent. Under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, the prize will honour a film that embodies the values of social justice, freedom of speech and expression, civil rights, and the struggle against inequality—themes that defined the spirit of the July Uprising.

“The launch of this award is not just a cultural gesture, but a global recognition of the courage, sacrifice, and democratic aspirations of the people of Bangladesh,” said a Ministry official. “Cinema has always been a voice for the voiceless. This prize ensures that the message of July will resonate far beyond our borders.”

The winning director will receive the award on the closing night of the festival, marking a poignant moment of remembrance and solidarity on one of Asia’s most influential cinematic stages.

The Busan International Film Festival, one of the most significant film events in Asia, has long championed independent and socially conscious filmmaking. With the introduction of the July Memorial Prize, it further cements its role as a platform for films that challenge oppression, inspire change, and uphold human dignity.

As filmmakers from across Asia prepare to showcase their work in Busan, the world will be watching – not only for cinematic excellence, but for stories that carry the torch of July’s unfinished revolution.