Director Yoon Dan-bi’s “Moving On” won the Uncaged Award for Best Feature Film in the 19th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff), the Onu Film reported Sunday.

The Uncaged Award goes to rookie directors for their debut or second feature film. “Microhabitat” (2018) directed by Jeon Go-woon took home the award at the 17th Nyaff.

The film is about complex family relationships and tells the story of a young brother and sister staying at their grandfather’s house for summer vacation.

“This was her debut feature. She showed such masterful restraint in the film that holds really a lot of quiet but powerful resonance,” the judges of the Nyaff said. “The film felt very personal to the filmmaker and also personal to those of us watching it.”

“Moving On” was the only Korean film to advance to the main competition this year. Son Jae-gon's "Secret Zoo," Kim Cho-hee's "Lucky Chan-sil," Choi Yun-tae's "Baseball Girl" and Kim Do-young's "Kim Ji-young, Born 1982” were screened virtually for this year’s film festival.

The 19th Nyaff took place virtually from Aug. 28 to Sept. 12 due to Covid-19.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]