Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa hails BIFF as 'microcosm of world cinema'

Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa, right, speaks during a press conference at the Culture Hall of Shinsegae Department Store's Centum City branch in Busan, Thursday. The director was chosen as the recipient of the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award at the ongoing Busan International Film Festival. Yonhap By Baek Byung-yeul BUSAN — Kiyoshi Kurosawa, one of Japan's iconic directors, praised the ongoing Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) as a miniature representation of the global film scene, highlighting his admiration for the Korean festival that provides a unique experience for the international movie industry.

"I've visited Busan several times, but this year is special as I received the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award at the BIFF," Kurosawa said during a press conference in Busan, Thursday. "When I attended the BIFF's opening ceremony yesterday (to receive this award), it was my first time experiencing such a grand venue and such a long red carpet. It was an incredibly enjoyable moment.

" He described the BIFF as showcasing various facets of the global film scene. "At the opening ceremony's after-party, I met creators from around the world. I met friends who came from Japan, France, Canada and Hong Kong," he said.

"It reinforced my view of the BIFF as a 'microcosm of world cinema.' I'm amazed that just a 90-minute flight from Japan brings me to a place where global cinema converges." Read More 29th Busan Int’l Film Festival kicks off The 69-year-old director, who .