Yan's wonderful performances in The True Story of Ah Q won him "The Gold Stick Prize" at the Second International Festival of Comedy Films in Vevey, Switzerland in 1982. He was also named best actor at the popular Hundred Flowers Awards in 1983.

Yan starred in several comedy films such as The New Story of Ah Hun and The Boyfriend of the Female Director, and consequently developed his unique performing style. Yan also directed, produced, and starred in The Story of Ah Tan, another wonderful product.

Yan Shunkai's Representative Comedy Films:
The True Story of Ah Q in 1982
The New Story of Ah Hun in 1984
The Story of Ah Tan in 1988