South Korean Director Hong Sang-soo Wins Top Prize At Berlin Film Fest

South Korean director Hong Sang-soo won the best screenplay at the Berlin International Film Festival for his latest work film, "Introduction" on Friday.

Due to the pandemic, the awarding was held online, which kicked off Monday for its five-day run.

Hong Sang-soo's 25th feature film, "Introduction," was awarded the Silver Bear prize for best screenplay at the 71st edition of the Berlin fest.

"More than telling a story, or advancing a narration with efficiency, this script fabricates those momentary intervals between one action and another, where, for an instant, a hidden truth of human life is suddenly revealed, bright and lucid," a jury statement read.

This is not the first time the South Korean director received an award from Berlin International Film Festival; last year, he was honored as the best director for the drama "The Woman Who Ran." His 2017 drama "On the Beach at Night Alone" brought Kim Min-hee the best actress award.

"I heard the news about this prize, and I was surprised and happy," Hong said in his acceptance speech posted through the festival's YouTube account.

"I would like to thank the jury for their appreciation of the film. I was happy to read the jury statement," he added.

Starring Shin Seok-ho and Park Miso, the new 66-minute movie tells a young man named Young-ho, who travels to visit his father, girlfriend, and mother.

Director Hong not only wrote the screenplay but also filmed the movie.

The top Golden Bear for best film went to "Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn," directed by Radu Jude from Romania. Simultaneously, the Silver Bear grand jury prize was given to "Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy" by Ryusuke Hamaguchi from Japan.

Hungarian director Denes Nagy of "Natural Light" won the Silver Bear for best director.

The awarding ceremony and other events like public screenings will be held at the delayed in-person festival slated for June.