China News Service, Hong Kong, March 7 (Xinhua) The 17th Asian Film Awards Ceremony will be held on March 10 at the Xiqu Center in the West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong.

The conference announced on the 7th that the highest honor "Lifetime Achievement Award" will be awarded to Mainland China director Zhang Yimou.

　　The conference stated that this is Zhang Yimou's second Asian Film Award after winning the "Asian Film Outstanding Contribution Award" in 2010 and the "Best Director" award in 2021 for his movie "One Second".

In addition, "Man Jiang Hong" directed by Zhang Yimou also won the "Highest Grossing Asian Film in 2023" award at this year's Asian Film Awards.

　　Zhang Yimou, known as one of the representatives of China's fifth generation of directors, entered the Photography Department of Beijing Film Academy in 1978.

In 1988, he became the first director to direct "Red Sorghum", which became a blockbuster in the international film industry and won the Golden Bear Award for Best Film at the 38th Berlin Film Festival. It was the first time that China has won the highest award at the world's three major film festivals.

　　Regarding receiving the "Lifetime Achievement Award", Zhang Yimou said that movies are a bridge that connects each other's hearts.

He has been working in movies for more than 40 years. Thanks to friends who like his movies, he will continue to study and work hard.

He also sent a message to young and new directors: "The most important thing is to persevere! You have to persevere even if there are difficulties. Because you love it, you will persevere."

　　It is understood that the Asian Film Awards has been held since 2007. Since 2014, the hosting rights have been handed over to the Asian Film Awards Academy, a non-profit organization jointly founded by the Hong Kong International Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival and Busan International Film Festival.

The purpose of this award is to showcase outstanding Asian film works to the world, and to promote and praise Asian films and industry talents.

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