China's actors-turned directors

Zhao Wei: "Learning to direct will also help me perform."

So Young (2013) [Photo/Agencies]

Chinese actress Zhao Wei enrolled in the Beijing Film Academy to study directing to create films herself and not just act in them. In 2013, Zhao's directorial debut, So Young, performed superbly both at the box office (having earned 718 million yuan or nearly $117 million) and in judges' eyes. The film won Zhao the Best Directorial Debut at the 29th Golden Rooster Awards and the award for Best Director at the 32nd Hundreds Flowers Award.