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| Kang Soo-youn, actress and co-executive director of the Busan International Film Festival, speaks during her acceptance speech for the Woman in Film of the Year award at the 16th Women in Film Korea Festival at Megabox Artnine Theater in Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap |
By Baek Byung-yeul
Veteran actress Kang Soo-youn was selected as The Woman in Film of the Year at the 16th Women in Film Korea Festival, Monday, for her distinguished service as co-executive director of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).
"I feel happy as a woman these days and I think I have been doing well as an actress. I am deeply moved as the award recognizes women in the industry," the 49-year-old said during her acceptance speech at Megabox Artnine Theater in Seoul.
"Ever since I began acting in the 1970s, I have had to endure a lot of difficulties as an actress. I think women filmmakers and actresses have been taking an indispensable role in the industry," she said, adding she would like to receive an acting award next year too.
Before the awards ceremony, Kim Dong-ho, founder of BIFF and now the honorary festival director, praised Kang as executive director, saying "Kang became BIFF's first female executive director this year. Not only does she have charisma but also she is a real leader. I am sure that she will do well next year too."
The Women in Film Korea Festival was founded in 2000 in a bid to recognize female filmmakers and actresses who have contributed to the development of the country's film industry by giving out awards in a total of nine categories.
Actress Park So-dam won the newly created Best Rookie Actress Award for her role in "The Priests."
Actress Kim Ho-jung, featured in director Im Kwon-taek's "Revivre," received the Acting Award while director Kim Dong-myung took home the Best Director Award for her film "The Liar." Director Ahn Sun-kyoung won Best Scenario for her 2013 work "Pascha," and Pollux Pictures executive producer Ahn Eun-mi took the Best Producer award for "Coin Locker Girl."
