Famous Chinese Directors

Chloé Zhao is a Chinese-born filmmaker known for her work on independent films. Her debut feature, "Songs My Brothers Taught Me" (2015), and "The Rider" (2017) received critical acclaim and nominations for Independent Spirit Awards. She gained international recognition with "Nomadland" (2020), winning awards like the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and multiple Academy Awards. Zhao made history as the second woman and first woman of color to win the Academy Award for Best Director. Her latest project is directing the Marvel Cinematic Universe film "Eternals" (2021).

Joan Chen is a versatile Chinese-American actress and film director known for her captivating performances in a wide range of projects. She gained international recognition for her roles in acclaimed films such as "The Last Emperor" and "Little Flower." In addition to her work in cinema, she has also made a significant impact on television with roles in popular series like "Twin Peaks." Furthermore, her directorial efforts, including "Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl," showcase her talent and creativity behind the camera.

John Woo Yu-sen is a highly influential Hong Kong film director known for his pioneering work in the action film genre. He is recognized for popularizing heroic bloodshed films and the gun fu genre in Hong Kong action cinema before transitioning to Hollywood. Woo is renowned for his chaotic "bullet ballet" action sequences, stylized imagery, and allusions to various cinematic styles. His notable works include A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Hard Boiled, and Red Cliff. In addition to his successes in Hong Kong cinema, Woo has directed several Hollywood films and received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to the film industry.

Zhang Yimou is a renowned Chinese filmmaker known for his work as a key figure of China's Fifth Generation filmmakers. With a career spanning decades, he has achieved international acclaim, winning numerous awards and recognitions for his films. Notable achievements include winning the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival for his directorial debut, as well as receiving multiple Academy Award nominations for Best Foreign Language Film. Zhang's films often explore themes of resilience and showcase rich use of color, earning him a reputation for visually stunning works. Additionally, he has been recognized with honorary doctorates from prestigious institutions and has served as a distinguished professor at the Beijing Film Academy.

Wu Jing, also known as Jacky Wu, is a renowned Chinese actor, director, and martial artist. He has gained fame for his performances in various martial arts films, including Tai Chi Boxer, Fatal Contact, the Sha Po Lang series, and as Leng Feng in the Wolf Warrior franchise. Wu Jing is highly successful in the Chinese film industry, with his movies consistently ranking among the highest-grossing films in China. He topped the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list in 2019 and continues to be a prominent figure in the entertainment world.

Zhao Wei, also known as Vicky Zhao or Vicki Zhao, is a Chinese actress, singer, filmmaker, and businesswoman. She gained pan-Asian fame for her role in the TV series My Fair Princess and has starred in popular films such as Shaolin Soccer, Red Cliff, Painted Skin, Painted Skin: The Resurrection, and Lost in Hong Kong. Zhao made her directorial debut with the successful film So Young. She is also a singer with 7 albums and holds a significant stake in Alibaba Pictures, the film division of Alibaba Group Holdings.

Terence Young was a prominent British film director and screenwriter known for his work in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Hollywood. He achieved fame for directing three James Bond films, including the series' first two installments, Dr. No and From Russia with Love, as well as Thunderball. Young's diverse filmography also includes notable works such as the Audrey Hepburn thrillers Wait Until Dark and Bloodline, the historical drama Mayerling, and action films starring Charles Bronson. His career spanned various genres and left a lasting impact on the film industry.

Huang Bo is a versatile Chinese entertainment industry figure known for his work as an actor, film director, and singer. He currently holds the position of vice-chairman of the China Film Association. Bo has received numerous accolades in the Chinese film industry, winning multiple awards. His achievements have also been recognized on the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list, where he has ranked in various positions over the years, showcasing his influence and popularity within the industry.

Jiang Wen is a versatile Chinese actor, screenwriter, and director renowned for his contributions to both Chinese and international cinema. As a filmmaker, he is associated with the "Sixth Generation" of Chinese directors, known for their innovative and independent style. Jiang gained global recognition for his acting talent, notably starring in critically acclaimed films like Red Sorghum and featuring in blockbuster hits such as Rogue One. With a diverse body of work, Jiang Wen continues to make significant contributions to the film industry, captivating audiences worldwide.

Hou Hsiao-hsien is a renowned Taiwanese film director, screenwriter, producer, and actor, recognized for his significant contributions to world cinema and Taiwan's New Wave cinema movement. He has received prestigious awards, including the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival. Hou's notable works such as "A City of Sadness," "The Puppetmaster," and "Flowers of Shanghai" have garnered critical acclaim and cemented his position as a leading figure in the film industry. His influence is evident through accolades like being named "Director of the Decade" and inclusion in lists of the most important directors in cinema's future.

Michael Hui Koon-man, also known as Mr Boo!, is a well-known Hong Kong actor, comedian, scriptwriter, and director. He played a significant role in shaping the Hong Kong entertainment industry during the 1970s and 1980s. Michael Hui is highly regarded for his comedic talents and is considered one of the top comedians in the Hong Kong film industry by many critics. His work as an actor, scriptwriter, and director has left a lasting impact on the industry and continues to be celebrated by audiences worldwide.

Ann Hui On-wah is a highly esteemed film director, producer, screenwriter, and actress from Hong Kong, celebrated for her contributions to the Hong Kong New Wave movement. She has crafted a diverse body of work that delves into various social issues, including literary adaptations, martial arts, women's issues, political changes, and thrillers. Hui has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career, including multiple Best Director awards at prestigious events like the Golden Horse Awards and the Hong Kong Film Awards. She is recognized for her exceptional filmmaking skills and has achieved significant milestones, such as orchestrating Grand Slam wins at the Hong Kong Film Awards for her films "Summer Snow" and "A Simple Life." Additionally, her achievements were honored with a lifetime accomplishment award at the Asian Film Awards in 2012, and she was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2017.

Jia Zhangke is a highly acclaimed Chinese film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and writer. As a key figure of the "Sixth Generation" movement in Chinese cinema, he gained recognition for his early underground films based in Shanxi province. Despite initial challenges, he later received state approval for his work, leading to increased prominence within China. Internationally, Jia's films have garnered critical acclaim, with notable awards such as the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. His contributions to cinema have been honored with prestigious awards like the Carrosse d'Or at Cannes.

Xie Jin was a highly acclaimed Chinese film director known for his significant contributions to the Chinese film industry. Rising to fame in 1957 with the film Woman Basketball Player No. 5, he became a prominent figure among the Third Generation directors of China. His directorial work, including The Opium War (1997), garnered widespread recognition and accolades. Xie was revered by older generations in China, with six of his films winning Best Picture at the Hundred Flowers Awards. He holds the distinction of being the only Chinese director to be a member of both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Directors Guild of America.

Wu Tianming was a prominent Chinese film director and producer known for his significant contributions to the Chinese cinema industry. He was a key figure among the "Fourth Generation" directors, renowned for his unique storytelling style and artistic vision. Throughout his career, Wu Tianming directed and produced a diverse range of films that showcased his creativity and talent. His work left a lasting impact on the Chinese film industry, earning him recognition as one of the most influential filmmakers of his time.

Chen Yifei was a distinguished figure in the realms of art and cinema in China. As a renowned classic-style painter, he showcased his artistic talents through various works that captivated audiences worldwide. In addition to his contributions to the art world, Chen Yifei also left a mark as an accomplished film director, with notable works such as The Music Box and Inyak Twilight. Through his creativity and vision, he established himself as a multifaceted artist who made significant contributions to Chinese culture and the creative industry.

Francis Mankiewicz was a prominent Canadian film director, screenwriter, and producer. He began his career in the film industry showcasing his talent and passion for storytelling. Mankiewicz gained recognition for his unique vision and creative approach to filmmaking. He successfully directed several acclaimed movies and television series, leaving a lasting impact on the Canadian film industry. His work was characterized by a blend of artistic expression and social commentary, making him a respected figure in the world of cinema.

Dai Ailian was a prominent Chinese dancer who played a crucial role in the development of modern dance in China. Through her work as a dance teacher and educator, she helped cultivate a new generation of dancers, choreographers, and educators. Known as the "Mother of Chinese Modern Dance," Dai Ailian made significant contributions to the field of dance in China. She articulated three core commitments that influenced the direction of dance in China during the latter half of the twentieth century.

Xu Zheng is a highly accomplished Chinese actor and director known for his comedic roles. He has achieved great success in the Chinese film industry, directing and starring in hit movies such as Lost in Thailand and Lost in Hong Kong. Xu has also received critical acclaim for his work in TV series like Sunny Piggy and comedy films like Call for Love. His collaborations with director Ning Hao have further solidified his reputation as a versatile and talented performer. Xu's career has seen a steady rise, as evidenced by his consistent rankings on the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list.

Wu Ma was a prominent figure in Hong Kong cinema, known for his versatile roles as an actor, director, producer, and writer. With a career spanning five decades, he made a significant impact with over 240 screen appearances and 49 directorial credits. Wu Ma's talent and dedication made him one of the most recognizable faces in the industry. He is particularly remembered for his portrayal of the Taoist ghosthunter in the classic film "A Chinese Ghost Story," showcasing his skill and versatility as a performer.

Zhang Junxiang was a prominent Chinese film director and playwright known for his contributions to the film industry. He received his education at Tsinghua University in Beijing and Yale University in the United States. Throughout his career, Zhang directed films such as "Da ze long she" and wrote the war film "Letter with Feather." He also served as a jury member at the 1st Moscow International Film Festival in 1959. Zhang's professional legacy is marked by his significant impact on Chinese cinema until his passing in 1996.

Hong Shen was a prominent figure in Chinese theater and film, known for his contributions as a playwright, film director, screenwriter, and educator. He played a crucial role in shaping modern Chinese spoken drama and is recognized as one of the pioneers in the field. Alongside Tian Han and Ouyang Yuqian, he is regarded as one of the founders of modern Chinese spoken drama. Shen's work extended to film as well, as he wrote the first Chinese film script for "Mrs. Shentu," solidifying his legacy in both theater and cinema.