# Chiu Keng Guan

Chiu Keng Guan (/ˌtʃuː kɛŋ ɡwʌn/; Chinese: 周青元; Jyutping: Zau1 Ceng1 Jyun4; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Chiu Chheng-goân; pinyin: Zhōu Qīng Yuán) is a Malaysian film director.

## Career

Born and raised in Batu Pahat, Johor, Chiu initially studied graphic design and then fine arts, and worked on ceramic and sculpture production before joining HVD Film Production, doing quality assurance.
Chiu then attended the Beijing Film Academy - which in recent times produced Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige. Since then, he did TV dramas, commercials, corporate videos, and also worked as an assistant director and cameraman. He was also part of the pioneering group that helped set up 8TV, and freelanced for Astro.
Chiu emerged in the local movie scene with Astro and its movie production arm, Astro Shaw, in directing his acclaimed family-oriented Lunar New Year Trilogy of WooHoo! (2010), Great Day (2011) and The Journey (2014), and has been in close working relationship with them since. He is well known to have a preference for amateurs and non-actors, unlike most local commercial filmmakers, who would usually cast professional and famous actors. The cast of Woohoo! and Great Day consists mostly of non-actor celebrities from Astro's popular radio and TV channels, while major roles are given to amateurs in The Journey and Ola Bola. Frankie Lee Sai Peng, the lead actor for The Journey who won the 27th Malaysia Film Festival award for Best Actor, is one such example. Lee is the first recipient of Chinese descent and the eldest since its inauguration at 75 years old.
Chiu's work is known for its emotional charge, and has earned him numerous critical and commercial success, especially within Malaysia. In addition to breaking box office records in Malaysia, he is decorated with notable award wins and nominations, including the Golden Wau Awards and the Malaysia Film Festival awards.

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Box Office |
| 2010 | 大日子 WooHoo! | MYR 4.2 million |
| 2011 | 天天好天 Great Day | MYR 6.5 million |
| 2014 | 一路有你 The Journey | MYR 17 million |
| 2016 | Ola Bola | MYR 16 million |
| 2018 | 大大哒 Think Big Big | MYR 2 million |
| 2021 | On Your Mark | |

## Accolades

| Award | Year | Category | Title | Result |
| Golden Wau Awards | 2013 | Best Movie | WooHoo! | Nominated |
| Golden Wau Awards | 2013 | Best Movie | Great Day | Nominated |
| Golden Wau Awards | 2013 | Best Director | WooHoo! | Nominated |
| Golden Wau Awards | 2013 | Best Director | Great Day | Won |
| Golden Wau Awards | 2015 | Best Movie | The Journey | Nominated |
| Malaysia Film Festival | 2015 | Box-Office Film Award | The Journey | Won |
| Malaysia Film Festival | 2015 | Best Non-Malay Language Film | The Journey | Won |
| Malaysia Film Festival | 2015 | Best Cinematography | The Journey | Won |
| Malaysia Film Festival | 2015 | Best Original Screenplay | The Journey | Nominated |
| Malaysia Film Festival | 2015 | Best Art Direction | The Journey | Nominated |
| Malaysia Film Festival | 2016 | Best Film | Ola Bola | Nominated |
| Malaysia Film Festival | 2016 | Best Director | Ola Bola | Nominated |
| Malaysia Film Festival | 2016 | Best Original Story | Ola Bola | Nominated |
| Malaysia Film Festival | 2016 | Special Jury Award - National Unity | Ola Bola | Won |