The Best Director Award is presented to a director in Competition who has demonstrated exceptional directorial talent. A cash prize of KRW 20,000,000 is awarded to the winner.
Girl
Jury Comment We were all very moved by Shu Qi’s debut film, Girl. It’s a deeply felt film that is universal and at the same time, very particular and personal. Even though the subject of domestic violence and its impact on women and children has been explored in films, this one stands out because of the nuances and complexities it has depicted. The wife’s character is quite grey, making the audience question their own moral stand to define what a mother is ‘allowed’ to be. Even though it’s her first film, she has handled the characters and their arcs beautifully. The experience of watching the film was immersive. It created fear for the vulnerable characters, invoking empathy and understanding. All its cinematic aspects, like the performances, camera work, sound, and especially the editing, were remarkable. We look forward to Shu Qi’s next film and wish her the very best for the journey ahead.