In 2004, he received Best Director awards at two different film festivals, for two different films. At the Berlin International Film Festival, he was awarded for "Samaritan Girl" (2004), and at the Venice Film Festival he won for "3-Iron" (also 2004). In 2011, his documentary film "Arirang" received an award for best film in the Un Certain Regard category from the Cannes Film Festival. In 2012, his film "Pietà" received the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival. In 2015, it was announced in Beijing at the Asian Brilliant Stars, a section of the upcoming Berlin International Film Festival that Kim would direct his largest budget to date film Who Is God? Kim is in talks to cast Liu Yi-Fei. Who Is God is being produced by Hollywood producers Stephen Castor and Jim Rygiel (3 Time Academy Award Winner)under the banner of their production company Its Just Us Productions, along with Chinese production company Film Carnival (Hangzhou. The film will be financed by CITIC Guoan, Huafeng Investment Consultation and Its Just Us Productions, (China Daily News).