Jodie Foster focuses on directing after 50 years in spotlight

Hollywood star Jodie Foster is setting her sights on directing more movies as she marks half a century in the spotlight, although has no plans to completely quit acting.

The 53-year-old, in Sydney to promote her latest directorial effort "Money Monster" starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts, made her debut behind the camera in her 20s with "Little Man Tate" but has only directed a handful of films since.

"It's crazy. I started (directing) when I was 27 and I've only made four movies," she told The Australian newspaper Tuesday, adding that bringing up two children and difficulties in getting films "off the ground" had hindered her.

Foster, a former child star, said it was "kind of an amazing thing" that she had been acting for 50 years, but added that her life was now more focused on directing.

The two-time Academy Award winner has built on her directorial experience by helming episodes for critically-acclaimed Netflix series "Orange Is The New Black" and "House of Cards".

"I really am focusing on directing now. This is a new step in my life. Sometimes when you embrace something new, it means saying goodbye to things that are safe," she told The Sydney Morning Herald.

"Really my mind has always worked as a director when I was acting. It's what's made my movies kind of different, it's what's made my work kind of different as an actor. It's a full expression of yourself.

"That being said, I can't imagine I'll ever quit acting completely. So it's just about evolving as an artist," she added.