Majid Majidi’s ‘Midday Meal’ wins Best Film at Busan International Film Festival

Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi’s drama, ‘Midday Meal’, won the Best Film award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in South Korea. The victory grants the film automatic eligibility for the Academy Awards’ international feature category.

During his acceptance speech, Majidi dedicated the award to the people of Iran and addressed the country’s hardships, including economic sanctions and the impact of military actions. He specifically cited the deaths of schoolchildren in Minab following strikes, which he attributed to U.S. actions. Majidi emphasized that despite these pressures, the Iranian people remain resilient.

The jury, led by Chinese director Zhang Yimou, praised the film for its simple cinematic expression and its humanistic perspective on characters facing social and economic struggles. The film follows a teacher making difficult choices to prevent a school from closing.

In Iran, Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf praised Majidi’s ‘brave and intelligent’ stance on the global stage, stating that the filmmaker serves as a voice for the nation’s ideals.