Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animated film studio, has been chosen to receive the 2015 Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award from the annual film festival in Busan, the festival said Thursday.

The studio was recognized for producing "numerous masterpieces with an extended production period, providing a stable production system as well as training successors for the development of animations," the organizing committee of the Busan International Film Festival said in a release. "The studio has also left a significant mark through activities concerning environmental protection, peace and the future of children."

Since 2003, the award has been presented to an Asian filmmaker or group that has significantly contributed to the development of the Asian film industry and the regional culture.

Studio Ghibli, celebrating its 30th anniversary, was founded in 1985 by animated film directors Takahata Isao and Miyazaki Hayao, who are well known for significant achievements in animated film history. 

Miyazaki Hayao consolidated the status of Japanese animated films, especially with "Spirited Away" (2001), which won the Golden Bear at the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival and the 2002 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film at the 2003 Oscars. He was awarded the Golden Lion for Career Achievement at the 2005 Venice International Film Festival. 

Takahata Isao also led in the golden age of Japanese animated films by directing "Grave of the Fireflies" (1988), "Only Yesterday" (1991), "Pom Poko" (1994), and the Oscar-nominated

feature "The Tale of The Princess Kaguya" (2013).

In celebration of Studio Ghibli's winning of the award, the festival will screen Miyazaki Hayao's "My Neighbor Totoro" (1988) in the Open Cinema section and Takahata Isao's "Only Yesterday"

(1991) in the Wide Angle section for showcasing animated films.

This year's festival is scheduled to run from Oct. 1-10. (Yonhap)