PRESS SERVICE

Sylvia CHANG Receives

BIFF X CHANEL ‘2025 Camellia Award’

at the 30th Busan International Film Festival

Sylvia CHANG receives the Camellia Award from Claus OLDAGER, President of Chanel Korea,

at the 30th BIFF Opening Ceremony

Taiwanese actress, director, producer, and screenwriter Sylvia Chang was honored with the 2025 Camellia Award for her over 50-year-long contributions to cinema at the opening ceremony of the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) held on September 17 at the Busan Cinema Center’s BIFF Theatre.

The award was presented by Claus Oldager, the Managing Director of Chanel Korea, who highlighted Chang’s achievements as a creator and her significant contributions as a woman in the film industry, explaining the reasons behind her selection.

In her speech, Chang expressed her gratitude for receiving such a significant honor. She reflected on her journey, balancing multiple roles as an actress, producer, wife, and mother, while never losing her passion for filmmaking. She shared, “(The moments of) challenge became the drive that kept me going,” citing the camellia flower—symbolizing passion and love—as a reflection of her unwavering devotion to cinema.

Sylvia CHANG delivers her acceptance speech for the Camellia Award at the 30th BIFF Opening Ceremony

Sylvia Chang has played a pioneering role in Asian cinema for over 50 years, appearing in more than 100 films across multiple generations and genres. As a director, she has demonstrated her artistic vision through works such as 20 30 40 (2004), Murmur of the Hearts (2015), and Love Education (2017). Her artistic achievements and influence have been widely recognized for amplifying the voices of Asian women filmmakers.

Chang’s lifetime achievements have been recognized internationally, including the Chevalier of l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from France, the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Asian Film Awards, and the Golden Mulberry Award for Lifetime Achievement from Udine’s Far East Film Festival. She has also served as a mentor, guiding emerging filmmakers across Asia.

Inspired by the camellia flower, a favorite of Gabrielle Chanel and the official flower of Busan, the Camellia Award celebrates the artistic and cultural contributions of women in the film industry. Last year, Ryu Seong-hie, a prominent Korean production designer, was the inaugural recipient.

The 30th Busan International Film Festival runs from September 17 to 26 at the Busan Cinema Center, with a special talk featuring Sylvia Chang scheduled for September 19 at the Busan Cinema Center, Cinema 2.

About CHANEL Arts & Culture  

The CHANEL Culture Fund fosters a vibrant network of creators and innovators to advance the ideas that shape culture worldwide. Core programmes include CHANEL’s Art Partners, institutions whose leaders are supported in the development of ground-breaking, long-term initiatives that bring innovation to the cultural landscape. The CHANEL Next Prize celebrates artists and accelerates their future successes through access to resources and mentorship. And the podcast CHANEL Connects amplifies the voices of thought-leaders across disciplines, generations, and geographies—tackling the defining issues of our time.  

From emerging curators at the MCA Chicago to leading ecologists at the Leeum Museum of Art in Seoul, from game-changing artists at the Venice Biennale to the brightest directors at the British Film Institute, the CHANEL Culture Fund champions creative audacity for a better future and extends a century of commitment to the arts.