Actress Jeanette Aw, 38, is leaving her long-time talent agency Hype Records-Artiste Network to be her own agent.

Speaking to The Straits Times, she says: "This decision not to renew my contract with Hype and Mediacorp has been a thought I've had for quite some time. I guess at times I feel like I've hit a plateau in my career and I need new challenges. And I believe that when the right moment comes, you will know when it is time to move on."

The Channel 8 star is leaving at the height of her career, after winning her first Best Actress award at last year's Star Awards for her role in the show-business drama The Dream Makers 2 as Zhao Fei Er, a top TV actress who falls into depression.

She says: "I will have more freedom with scheduling my time and picking the right scripts as they come along. I am definitely open to drama proposals and opportunities overseas."

The actress has also been busy with behind-the-scenes responsibilities. She has been working on a short film titled The Last Entry, inspired by her godmother's struggles with Alzheimer's disease.

The 15-minute Mandarin short, which she wrote, directed and acted in, is in post-production.

She says: "I'm excited about it and have plans to enter this short for festivals and competitions.

"My company Picturesque Films was established in 2012. That was when I already had plans to do my own film. Many times during interviews, I would also share this dream to move behind the scenes. I do mean the things I say and it's just a matter of time that I pursue those dreams."