Photo/Illutration Lee Sang-il, right, and Chloe Zhao, left, attend the 2025 Kurosawa Akira Award ceremony in Tokyo on Nov. 3. (Haruto Hiraoka)

Film directors Lee Sang-il and Chloe Zhao, enjoying box office and critical success in recent years, received the 2025 Kurosawa Akira Award on Nov. 3 during the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival.

The award, named after world-renowned film director Akira Kurosawa, is given to those whom the festival wishes to entrust with the future of the film industry.

Lee, known for directing “Hula Girls” and “Villain,” helmed “Kokuho,” released this year. The film became a blockbuster, earning more than 15 billion yen ($97 million) at the box office—the first time in 22 years for a Japanese live-action movie.

The selection committee praised Lee, saying he has “consistently depicted weighty themes that deal with social contradictions and human transgressions, elevating them into humanistic dramas that resonate deeply with audiences.”

“The significance of this award is tremendous. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved in our films, including the staff and cast,” Lee said at the ceremony.

Meanwhile, Zhao is a film director from Beijing, who previously won numerous awards for her work "Nomadland," including an Academy Award for best director.

The selection committee also praised her works, saying, “The poetic and realistic works of director Chloe Zhao have stood out among typical Hollywood films.”

By Oct. 26, "Kokuho" had earned 16.65 billion yen at the box office. If it earns another 700 million yen, the film will set a record for a Japanese live-action movie.

Meanwhile, Zhao’s latest film, “Hamnet,” was chosen for the closing film to be aired at the film festival on the evening of Nov. 5.

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