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Black Rabbit, White Rabbit," the latest mystery drama from director Shahram Mokri, has been awarded the inaugural International Film Festival of India - Vision Asia Award for Best Film at the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). This award highlights emerging talent in Asian cinema.
The film, a co-production between Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates, features an intricate and suspenseful narrative that captivated audiences. It tells the interconnected stories of three individuals, brought to life by actors Babak Karimi, Hasti Mohammai, Kibriyo Dilyobova, and Bezhan Davlyatov. The Vision Asia Award is a new initiative under the International Film Festival of India's Vision Program, designed to recognize filmmakers who push artistic boundaries and offer unique cinematic visions. The award ceremony took place during the 30th Busan International Film Festival, which ran from September 17 to September 26, 2025.
This recognition positions "Black Rabbit, White Rabbit" as a significant contender in the international film circuit. Following its success at Busan, the film is scheduled for screenings at the Chicago International Film Festival on October 21, 2025, and the BFI London Film Festival. Furthermore, the film is a potential candidate for Tajikistan's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards, marking the fifth film submitted by the nation, following four previous submissions, for an Oscar nomination. While Tajikistan has not yet received an Oscar nomination, this accolade represents a promising step forward.
Shahram Mokri is an acclaimed filmmaker known for his distinctive style. His previous works include "Careless Crime" (2020), "Invasion" (2017), and "Fish & Cat" (2013). His films have consistently received attention at international festivals; "Fish & Cat" earned an award at the Venice Film Festival in 2013, and "Careless Crime" was recognized at both the Venice Film Festival and the Chicago Film Festival in 2020. The Vision Asia Award ceremony at BIFF underscored the growing importance of Asian cinema globally and fostered cross-cultural collaboratio