She has written and directed three feature films, including Love Serenade, which won the Camera D'Or (Best First Feature) at Cannes Film Festival in 1996. She has also directed television drama, including Love My Way, Offspring and Five Bedrooms. Known for her ability to elicit strong, truthful and detailed performances in both comedy and drama, her work is also striking visually.
Shirley has written two novels: Rush Oh! (2014) and The Bus on Thursday (2018).