He was also named among the “Top 20 Asian Heroes” by TIME Magazine in 2004. He founded his production company Chuan Pictures in 2009. Royston’s works have found commercial and critical success, winning awards at various international film festivals. 15 was the first Singaporean film to compete for the Lion of the Future Award in Venice International Film Festival 2003, and won the Special Jury Award and Best Director Award at the Buenos Aires VI Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente (Buenos Aires International Festival of independent Cinema 2004). 881 was Singapore’s top grossing Asian film for 2007, and was selected as Singapore’s entry to the 80th Academy Awards (2008) in the Best Foreign Language Film category. 3688 was voted runner up in the Taipei Golden Horse Audience Choice Awards 2015. In addition to making its international premiere at the Busan International Film Festival in 2015, 7 Letters also won the Kumamoto City Award at the Focus on Asia – Fukuoka International Film Festival 2016, the second highest award offered. Bunga Sayang, Royston’s segment in 7 Letters, also clinched the Best Asian Short Film at the Sapporo International Short Film Festival 2016. 2017 saw Royston take a step back from directing, to mentoring and supporting five young directors while serving as Executive Producer on 667. The omnibus film, involving talents such as Kirsten Tan (Pop Aye, 2017) and Eva Tang (The Songs We Sang, 2016), made its international premiere at the Busan International Film Festival 2017. Royston and team are currently exploring a sequel to the film. His upcoming project, 69, is selected for the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival’s Project Promotion Plan 2017.
