The 30th BIFF Honors Sylvia CHANG with the ‘2025 Camellia Award’!

Honoring an Artist Who Elevates the Role of Women in Cinema:

Sylvia CHANG, Recipient of the 2025 Camellia Award

A Trailblazing Creator as Director, Actress, and Producer

As this year’s recipient of the Camellia Award, Taiwanese filmmaker Sylvia Chang has paved the way for women in cinema through her distinguished career as a director, actress and producer. Over the past five decades, she has appeared in more than 100 films, earning acclaim as an icon of Taiwanese cinema and winning multiple Best Actress awards at prestigious film festivals.

Since her directorial debut in the 1980s, Chang has helmed 15 features noted for their emotional depth and humanistic insight, including 20 30 40 (2004), which was nominated for the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival; Murmur of the Hearts (2015), the opening film of the Hong Kong International Film Festival; and Love Education (2017), which won Best Screenplay at the Hong Kong Film Awards and the closing film of 2017 BIFF.

A Defining Artist of Our Time, Recipient of the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and Multiple Lifetime Achievement Awards

She has also delivered works of emotional resonance and distinctive insights, while actively mentoring and producing for emerging filmmakers. In recognition of her contributions, she has been honored with the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from France, the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Asian Film Awards, and the Golden Mulberry for Lifetime Achievement from Udine’s Far East Film Festival, establishing her as one of Asia’s most influential and versatile artists.

Sylvia Chang, on the announcement of the honorary Camellia Award, said, “I accepted this honour with thankful heart. It’s a blessing to be a filmmaker for 53 years, and still going on. This year, I come with my latest film Measure in Love, wish to see you all in the open cinema screening!”

Throughout history, pioneering women worldwide have made enormous contributions to the cinema industry, including acting, direction, producing, screenwriting, cinematography, and production design. Today, their creative journeys, which dare to challenge traditional norms and modes of thinking, are a source of strength and inspiration, forging a path for future generations of women in the industry across Asia. The Camellia Award was created to celebrate the power of women in cinema. The award is given to a prominent filmmaker or industry professional whose work has creatively inspired others. The award's name is inspired by the camellia, which is both Busan's city flower and Gabrielle Chanel's favorite flower.

The 2025 Camellia Award will be presented at the opening ceremony of the 30th BIFF on September 17 at Busan Cinema Center. The festival runs from September 17 (Wed) to 26 (Fri), spanning 10 days in and around the same venue.