Osaka 2015: Taiwan's MEETING DR. SUN Wins Asian Film Festival Grand Prix

Taiwanese film Meeting Dr. Sun proved popular with audiences and jury members alike at Osaka Asian Film Festival, receiving the Audience Award and the festival's Grand Prix. Director Yee Chih-yen and stars Zhan Huai-yuan and Matthew Wei were present to accept the brace of awards, and the 500,000 yen prize that comes with the festival's grand prize. 

The film follows four boys and their plans to steal an abandoned metal statue from a school storage room in order to sell it to raise money for school fees. The gang encounters trouble when they run into a rival out to claim the statue for himself. A jury consisting of Hong Kong film director Pang Ho Cheung, Korean Actress Yoon Jin-seo and Japan's own Takeda Rina, chose the film as the winner.

Also awarded by the Jury, the Most Promising Talent Award went to Thailand's Mez Tharathorn for his latest romantic comedy I Fine.. Thank You.. Love You. It was the second time on stage for the director having previously accepted an award on behalf of the film's star Preechaya Pongthananikorn. The actress was the recipient of the newly established Yakushi Pearl Award, which goes to the most brilliant performer amongst the competition films. Actress Charlene Choi was given a special mention for her role in Herman Yau's sexual-abuse drama Sara.

The Asahi Broadcasting Corporation's ABC Award for Most Entertaining Film went to Chinese entry The Continent, from director Han Han.