FESTIVAL FINALE
South Korean animated romance “The Square” will close the 27th Far East Film Festival (FEFF) in Udine, Italy. The film will make its world premiere at the festival, which runs April 24-May 2, sharing the closing night spotlight with “Ya Boy Kongming! The Movie,” a live-action feature film adaptation of the popular comedy manga, screening out of competition.
Two additional world premieres have been added to the lineup: a restored version of hard-to-find 1979 Hong Kong cult film “The System” and Indonesian horror title “Mad of Madness,” which explores the intersection of fear, politics and society.
These additions bring FEFF’s total to 77 films from 12 countries, with 49 titles in competition. The festival now boasts 8 world premieres, 16 international premieres, 20 European premieres and 19 Italian premieres.
The festival will open with Chinese comedy “Green Wave,” followed by South Korean supernatural horror “Dark Nuns.” Other additions include two Hong Kong short films, “Once Upon a Time There Was a Mountain” and “Sweet, Sour, Bitter…,” produced at the Asian Film Awards Academy International Film Camp.
JURY JUNCTION
The Sydney Film Festival has unveiled the jury for its official competition at the upcoming 72nd edition, set to run June 4-15. The panel will award the Sydney Film Prize, an AUD60,000 ($36,000) cash prize recognizing “audacious, cutting-edge and courageous” cinema, at the closing night gala on June 15 at the State Theatre.
Australian helmer Justin Kurzel (“Snowtown,” “Nitram”) will serve as jury president. His debut documentary “Ellis Park” will screen out of competition. Joining him are Marrakech International Film Festival director and producer Melita Toscan du Plantier, Aotearoa New Zealand director-actor Rachel House, Hong Kong producer-distributor Winnie Tsang, and Kamilaroi writer-actor Thomas Weatherall.
“The Sydney Film Prize honors bold and visionary filmmaking that continues to evolve the language of cinema,” said SFF festival director Nashen Moodley. “Each of these jurors brings a deep understanding of storytelling, drawn from their own exceptional creative practices and cultural contexts. I’m especially pleased to welcome Justin Kurzel as jury president, whose uncompromising and powerful body of work makes him an ideal figure to lead this conversation.”
Kurzel will also deliver the 2025 Ian McPherson Memorial Lecture at the Festival Hub, discussing his career with Moodley.
The FIAPF-accredited competition will showcase 12 international titles, with the full lineup to be announced on May 7.