DAYYAN ENG (aka Wu Shixian in China) is a Chinese-American director with a distinguished international background. He studied film in the US and transferred to the prestigious Beijing Film Academy where he finished his undergraduate studies in directing. Starting his career directing TV commercials for the Asian and global market, Dayyan won recognition and acclaim for his short films, and most recently, his feature film "Waiting Alone". In late 2005, Dayyan became the first foreign member of the China Directors' Guild and made history as the first foreign director to have a film nominated for "Best Picture" at the Chinese academy awards. He is currently one of the hottest young feature directors in China.
In 2001, Dayyan wrote and directed "Bus 44" starring Chinese film star Gong Beibi. The film premiered and won awards at the 2001 Venice Film Festival and 2002 Sundance Film Festival, and was invited to the 2002 Cannes Film Festival "Director's Fortnight" becoming the first Chinese short film to be invited to each of these festivals. The film was covered extensively in the Chinese media and was critically acclaimed in China, the US, and in Europe, gaining TV and theatrical distribution in territories worldwide.
In 2005, Dayyan completed the Chinese independant feature film "Waiting Alone", which he wrote and directed, starring an ensemble cast including Xia Yu, Gong Beibi, Li Bingbing, and featuring cameos from some of Asia's biggest stars, including Chow-Yun Fat. It premiered to critical raves and was an audience favorite at the 17th Tokyo Int'l Film Festival. The film has been called one of 2005 "best films" by over 50 Chinese media and Variety. "Waiting Alone" became a hit in China among young people upon its September 2005 wide-release in the China market, and went on to receive 3 nominations, including Best Picture, at the Chinese academy awards (Golden Rooster Awards); as well as winning the "Best First Feature" and "Best Actor" awards at the popular Beijing Film Festival. "Waiting Alone" became a best-selling DVD in China and its national network TV premier in early 2006 debuted at #1. The film continues to add a following to its already large fan-base in China. "Waiting Alone" was picked up for international distribution by Arclight Films at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.
Dayyan is currently busy with new projects and divides his time between Beijing and Los Angeles.
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