[Busan=E-Daily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] Director Jonas Cuarón expressed his affection for Korean cinema.

At a press conference for the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) held on the 8th at BIFF Hill in the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan, Director Jonas Cuarón said, “I am a huge fan of Korean cinema,” adding, “I am delighted to be able to present my new film, ‘Gavacho Champion,’ to Korean audiences.”

Father and son, directors Alfonso Cuarón and Jonas Cuarón, visited Korea for the first time through this year’s Busan International Film Festival. Director Jonas Cuarón shared his impressions of visiting Busan, saying, “Thank you for inviting us,” and “I was happy to be able to screen ‘Gravity’ in IMAX yesterday.”

Director Jonas said he looks to Korean films for elements he wants to incorporate into his own work.

“There are elements I’d like to incorporate into my own films as well—using genre as a device for storytelling and weaving in humor,” he said. “From *The Host* to *Parasite*, and more recently *Hope* and *I Can’t Help It*, the reason I love these films is that they build a connection with the audience while maintaining a firm thematic focus and a sense of humor—aspects in which I find a strong resonance with Korean cinema.”

Director Jonas co-wrote the screenplay for the film *Gravity* with his father, world-renowned director Alfonso Cuarón.

Recalling the collaboration with his father, Director Jonas said, “He read the screenplay I had written and said he liked the concept,” adding, “Our conversations about the film naturally led to brainstorming sessions.”

He continued, “It was a good experience for both of us. It was a process that organically led to the next step,” adding, “It was a project from which I learned a great deal.”

Listening to this, Director Alfonso emphasized the significance of their collaboration as creators rather than simply as father and son.

“Setting aside the father-son relationship, this is a collaboration between a director and a writer,” Director Alfonso said, laughing, “I don’t know about my son, but I enjoy working with him.”

Director Jonas’s new film, *Gavacho Champion*, has been invited to the World Cinema section of the 31st Busan International Film Festival. He recently directed the Netflix Original film *My Friend Chupacabra*.

Director Alfonso won the Best Screenplay Award at the 2001 Venice International Film Festival for *I Tu Mama* and the Golden Lion Award at the 2018 Venice International Film Festival for *Roma*. He is a world-renowned master filmmaker who has won the Academy Award for Best Director twice, for *Gravity* and *Roma*. He recently forged a connection with Korean cinema by serving as an executive producer on director Yeon Sang-ho’s film *Revelation* (2025).

Director Alfonso held a special talk following the IMAX screening of *Gravity* at this year’s Busan International Film Festival and will also lead a separate master class. *Gravity* was co-written by Directors Alfonso and Jonas.

The 31st Busan International Film Festival will run through the 15th at venues across Busan, including the Busan Cinema Center, CGV Centum City, Lotte Cinema Centum City, the Korean Film Council’s Standard Screening Room, the Sohyang Theater Woori Bank Hall, and the Busan Viewers’ Media Center Public Hall.