Entertainment · Film · 1 hr ago
Majid Majidi’s ‘Midday Meal’ wins Busan’s top film prize
Iranian director Majid Majidi’s film ‘Midday Meal’ won Best Film at the 31st Busan International Film Festival in South Korea.
The film follows a rural teacher trying to keep free lunches available after a benefactor’s death puts his school at risk.
Those meals help impoverished pupils continue attending school, while the teacher’s choices threaten his hopes of securing a permanent job.
The Busan win gives the film an alternate route to Oscar consideration for Best International Feature under new Academy rules.
Iran has already selected another film, ‘Land of Angels,’ as its official entry, but ‘Midday Meal’ can qualify through its festival award.
Majidi also used his acceptance speech to speak against the war in Iran and call for a future without war.
Majid Majidi’s Iranian film “Midday Meal” won the Best Film Award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival.
The award gives the film a route to consideration for the Academy Award for Best International Feature, without selection by Iran’s Oscar committee.
The film follows a rural schoolteacher trying to keep his school open and free lunches available after a benefactor dies.
The seven-member jury, led by Zhang Yimou, chose the film unanimously.
In his acceptance speech, Majidi dedicated the prize to the people of Iran and spoke against war.
- Who
- Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi won the award for “Midday Meal”.
- What
- The film won Best Film at the Busan International Film Festival. The win makes it eligible for a route to Best International Feature consideration at the Academy Awards.
- When
- Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.
- Where
- The award was announced at the closing ceremony at the Busan Cinema Center in Busan, South Korea.
- Why
- The jury chose the film unanimously. The sources do not state a more specific reason for the decision.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The 10-day Busan International Film Festival began.
Majidi spoke at a press conference about nearly declining the invitation to travel to South Korea.
Midday Meal” won Best Film at the festival’s closing ceremony.
- Film
- Midday Meal
- Director
- Majid Majidi
- Festival
- 31st Busan International Film Festival
- Jury president
- Zhang Yimou
- Jury decision
- Unanimous
- Main character
- Davoud Soulan, a contract teacher played by Mohammad Rahimi
4 sources
Iranian Auteur Majid Majidi Wins Top Prize at Busan Film Festival With ‘Midday Meal’
Iranian Drama ‘Midday Meal’ Wins Busan Film Festival’s Top Prize, Qualifying for Oscar Consideration
Iranian film 'Midday Meal' wins top honor at 31st BIFF
Majid Majidi’s ‘Midday Meal’ Wins Busan Best Film Award; Qualifies For Oscars Consideration
What people are saying
I would like to dedicate this prize to the brave heroes of Iran — the people of Iran, who have stood firm through all these years and are still resisting oppression.
On the very first day of this war in Iran, a school in Minab was hit, and 120 innocent students were killed. Even now, some of the bodies have not been found.
I wish for a future with no war.
I wish for a world where there is no more war, full of peace, love and brotherhood. I’m praying for that future.