Director Lee Chang-dong Becomes First Korean to Win TIFF Ebert Director Award for 'Possible Love'

Director Lee Chang-dong has been selected as the recipient of the TIFF Ebert Director Award (TIFF Ebert Director Award by The Tory Family) at the Tribute Awards of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival.

Following the significant buzz generated by the official invitation of his new film "Possible Love" to the Special Presentations section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, Director Lee Chang-dong has earned the honor of receiving the TIFF Ebert Director Award at the Tribute Awards.

The Tribute Awards are held annually by the Toronto International Film Festival to celebrate extraordinary cinematic achievements and contributions. The TIFF Ebert Director Award, received by Director Lee Chang-dong, was established in honor of the renowned American film critic Roger Ebert and honors visionary directors who have driven groundbreaking changes in the film industry.

While the award has previously been presented to master filmmakers such as Guillermo del Toro, Mike Leigh, Spike Lee, Sam Mendes, Denis Villeneuve, and Chloé Zhao, Director Lee Chang-dong has become the first Korean director to have his name added to the list.

The 51st Toronto International Film Festival will take place in Toronto, Canada, from September 10 to 20, and the Tribute Awards ceremony will be held on September 13.

Director Lee Chang-dong has received acclaim from major international film festivals, having won the Best Director award at the Venice International Film Festival for "Oasis", the Best Screenplay award at the Cannes Film Festival for "Poetry", and the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cannes Film Festival for "Burning".

His new film "Possible Love" is meeting international audiences after advancing to the competition section of the Venice International Film Festival and being invited to the Gala Presentations section of the Toronto International Film Festival.

Drawing intense attention as Director Lee Chang-dong's first new work in 8 years and for bringing together Korea's representative actors Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung, and Cho Yeo-jeong, "Possible Love" is scheduled to open in theaters on September 23 and be released via Netflix on November 6.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)