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2026 Awards Archive
Award Recipient: After the Song — Directed by KUMAMOTO Ryohei (Japan)
Alternative Universe Co., Ltd. is proud to present the Face of the Future Award 2026 to After the Song, directed by Japanese filmmaker KUMAMOTO Ryohei, at the 31st Busan International Film Festival.
Marking the director’s feature film debut, After the Song is a heartfelt coming-of-age story that explores the delicate relationship between love, truth, and the journey of self-discovery. Through the eyes of a fourteen-year-old boy navigating the complexities of family, identity, and growing up, the film offers a tender reflection on the courage it takes to step beyond the familiar and embrace the unknown. With its sensitive storytelling and thoughtful cinematic vision, the film captures the quiet yet profound moments that shape our understanding of ourselves and those we love.
The Face of the Future Award reflects Alternative Universe’s ongoing commitment to recognizing and encouraging emerging filmmakers whose distinctive voices and creative perspectives contribute to the evolving landscape of Asian cinema. Through this recognition, Alternative Universe celebrates not only the achievement of After the Song, but also the promise of a filmmaker whose creative journey is only beginning.
Alternative Universe proudly returns to the Busan International Film Festival for its second consecutive year in 2026. Our annual journey to the festival holds a significance that extends far beyond simply attending a film festival. More than a pleasure, it is a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with cinema and the people who share our passion for it.
The festival invites us to reflect on the purpose behind our work throughout the year and to celebrate the creative voices that continue to inspire us. This year, the journey carries an even greater sense of purpose and responsibility as we represent Alternative Universe on an international stage.
More than an annual tradition, our participation in the Busan International Film Festival 2026 represents the intersection of personal passion and professional dedication, reflecting the values, aspirations, and creative vision that continue to shape Alternative Universe.