Local actress and film-maker Michelle Chong has won Best Director for Lulu The Movie (2016) at the Canada International Film Festival 2017.

An elated Chong, 39, channels her alter-ego in a statement: "This is my first Best Director award, and it comes from an ang moh country no less! And I didn't even have to pay for it! It's moving to me that the Canadians understand and appreciate the style and humour of the movie. Lulu love Canada! Lulu love (Canadian Prime Minister) Justin Trudeau!"

The character of Lulu, a brassy karaoke hostess from northern China, was created by Chong for Mediacorp's news satire television show, The Noose.

Lulu The Movie was released in Singapore last November and has earned $2.1 million. This is the third movie that Chong has written, directed and produced.

Her first movie, comedy Already Famous (2011), was selected as Singapore's entry to the 2012 Oscars in the Best Foreign Film category. Her second film was romance drama 3 Peas In A Pod (2013).

The Canadian film festival recognises the best of world cinema from more than 90 countries around the world.

Boon Chan