17 Facts About Peter Chan

Peter Chan is recognized as one of the most prominent directors in Chinese cinema, being the first director to win Best Director awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards, the Golden Horse Awards, and the China Golden Rooster Awards.

Peter Chan made his directorial debut with Alan and Eric: Between Hello and Goodbye.

Peter Chan co-founded Applause Pictures in 2000, a production company dedicated to creating high-quality films that appeal to both Asian and international audiences.

In 2009, Peter Chan founded WE Pictures, another production company that has focused on bringing Chinese stories to a global audience and continues to produce influential and acclaimed works.

Peter Chan's notable producing works include The Eye Series, Protege, Bodyguards and Assassins and Soul Mate.

Peter Chan was born in British Hong Kong to Chinese parents.

Peter Chan's father, Chan Tung Man, was a writer-director and a columnist.

At the age of 11, Peter Chan moved with his family to Thailand, where he grew up in Bangkok's international Chinese community and became fluent in Thai.

Peter Chan later attended film school at UCLA before returning to Hong Kong in 1983 for a summer internship in the film industry, which marked the beginning of his career in filmmaking.

Peter Chan began his film career in the 1980s, serving as second assistant director, translator, and producer on John Woo's Heroes Shed No Tears, set in Thailand.

Peter Chan then worked as a location manager on three Jackie Chan films: Wheels on Meals, The Protector, and Armour of God, all shot overseas.

Peter Chan made his directorial debut with Alan and Eric: Between Hello and Goodbye in 1991, which won Best Film at the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild and Best Actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards for Eric Tsang.

Since the mid-2000s, Peter Chan has predominantly worked in mainland China, capitalizing on the rapid expansion of its film industry.

Peter Chan directed The Warlords and produced Derek Yee's Protege, both of which were the highest-grossing Hong Kong-China co-productions of the year.

In 2009, Peter Chan founded WE Pictures, a production company aimed at supporting, producing and distributing films from a range of Chinese artists.

Peter Chan's reputation was solidified when he was voted "the most valuable filmmaker" in a 2010 survey by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Peter Chan's legacy is defined by his versatility, advocacy, and enduring impact on the Chinese-language film industry.