Following Director Spielberg & Director Yoji Yamada, the 2nd Akira Kurosawa Award went to Hou Hsiao-Hsien, one of the Taiwan's New Wave.

Director Hou Hsiao-Hsien
Born in Guangdong Province, China, on April 8, 1947. After graduating from the Film and Performing Arts Department of National Taiwan Arts Academy, he entered the world of cinema by involving as several roles including a scripter, then became an associate director. In 1980 he directed his debut film "Cute Girl." He was named "Taiwan's New Wave" for his unique beauty in audio-visual and for his outlook on the world along with Edward Yang. He directed A Summer at Grandpa's (1984), Daughter of the Nile (1987) etc. He won Grand Prix at Venice International Film Festival with City of Sadness in 1989. He directed The Puppetmaster (1993), Goodbye South, Goodbye (1996), Cafe Lumiere (2003) etc. and has played an active role as a director who represents Taiwan. His latest film is Three Times (temporary title) casting Qi Shu and Chen Chang.

Akira Kurosawa Award was established last year in order to hand down the work of Director Akira Kurosawa to posterity as a symbol of recreation of rich Japanese culture, and to appeal Japanese culture and Japan's enthusiasm in movie culture to the world. Each year this Award is given to an individual or a group of talented directors and/or movie producers. Mr. Yoji Yamada and Mr. Steven Spielberg received the first, memorable Kurosawa Award.