Siwff names top award winner

The 21st Seoul International Women’s Film Festival presented director Jang Hye-young with this year’s Park Nam Ok Award on Monday.

The award was named after Korea’s first female director and is given to one female film director each year who is actively involved in the local film industry.

Jang made her own story of living with a younger sister who has a developmental disability into a documentary film “Grown Up” (2018).

The director is also a YouTuber, who runs the channel “Serious Sister,” in which she discusses topics related to women and welfare.

“Jang’s active pursuance of diverse activities represents a face of a female director of her generation who goes forward in her life and career despite the hardships she may face,” explained the judges of the selection.

The award will be presented to the director on Thursday at the festival’s opening ceremony. In addition to a trophy, Jang will be given prize money worth 5 million won ($4,119).

By Lee Jae-lim