From screen star to filmmaker: Shu Qi wins best director in Busan for debut film Girl

Taiwanese actress turned filmmaker Shu Qi has won Best Director at the 30th Busan International Film Festival for her directorial debut, Girl.

Receiving the award at the festival’s closing ceremony, Shu became visibly emotional as she thanked her husband, actor-director Stephen Fung Tak-lun, for “tolerating a wife who is not often at home.”

She also paid tribute to producer Yeh Jufeng, editor William Chang Suk-ping, her parents, the cast, and investors.

Dedicating the film to “all girls with inner scars,” Shu said she hoped her work would encourage them to move forward bravely toward a better future.

Other major winners included Gloaming in Luomu by Chinese director Zhang Lu, which was named Best Film. Japan’s Yuta Hayashi received Best Actor for BAKA’s Identity, while Korean actress Lee Ji-won won Best Actress for En Route To.