MIFF 2026 to showcase 5 acclaimed Busan festival shorts under Next Wave

MUMBAI: Mumbai’s film lovers are set to get a passport to some of Asia’s most exciting emerging cinema. The 19th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival 2026 will present a curated showcase of short films from the Busan International Film Festival under the banner Busan Next Wave, offering audiences a window into fresh storytelling and new filmmaking talent from across the region.

The special programme brings together five acclaimed shorts that span genres, cultures and perspectives, reflecting the diversity and creative energy that have made BIFF one of Asia’s most influential film festivals.

The selection includes Delay, directed by Wang Han-Xuan, a China-US production; Interface by Aya Kawazoe from Japan; Noise Cancellation by Jihye Choi from South Korea; It Sounds Louder on Rainy Days by Kim Sang Yun, also from South Korea; and the animated work A Man Who Takes Pictures of Flowers directed by Yoo Lee, a collaboration between the United States and South Korea.

Collectively, the films explore a broad range of themes, from intimate personal experiences and emotional journeys to observations on contemporary life and society. The programme is designed to showcase the next generation of filmmaking voices while offering audiences stories that transcend borders and cultures.

The Busan Next Wave section also highlights the growing cultural exchange between Asian film festivals, creating opportunities for Indian audiences to discover new filmmakers and storytelling traditions from across the region.

The showcase will be presented as part of Mumbai International Film Festival 2026, which is scheduled to take place from June 15 to June 21, 2026. As the countdown begins, the Busan selection promises to add an international flavour to the festival’s line-up, bringing some of the most promising short-form cinema from Asia’s festival circuit to Mumbai’s screens.