BUSAN: Two productions which paint vastly different portraits of modern existence have taken home the major award at Asia’s most prestigious film festival, with judges praising both for their ability to celebrate life.

Iranian director Hadi Mohaghegh’s “Immortal” and “Walnut Tree” from Kazakhstan’s Yerlan Nurmukhambetov were Saturday morning named the winners of the New Currents award for first- and second-time filmmakers at the 20th Busan International Film Festival, each receiving $30,000.

“Immortal,” a moving tale about a suicidal man and the grandson determined to convince him he has many reasons to live, was praised by New Currents jury president Sylvia Chang for its “extraordinary feat of visual storytelling, filled with emotion.”

Meanwhile “Walnut Tree,” which looks at the interaction within a small, close-knit community, was a simple film that “proves how humor, kindness, and forgiveness connect us all,” said veteran Taiwanese filmmaker Chang.

Both directors were presented with their prizes at the festival’s closing ceremony Saturday night, which also featured the world premiere of Chinese director Larry Yang’s drama “Mountain Cry.” At the end of its 10-day run the festival will have screened 302 films from 75 countries, and presented 94 world premieres.

Festival organizers announced a record 227,337 theater visits this year, a welcome fillip after 12 months that had seen them struggle with funding issues.

“Substantial growth and quality growth are what we have to look at now,” said festival co-director Lee Yong-kwan.