Hong Kong filmmaker Ann Hui has been named the recipient of the 2026 Camellia Award at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).
Presented in partnership with CHANEL, the award recognizes filmmakers who have made outstanding contributions to advancing the role and status of women in the film industry.
A leading figure of the Hong Kong New Wave, Hui has directed 27 feature films and two feature-length documentaries since making her debut with The Secret in 1979. Her acclaimed career includes six Best Director awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards and three at the Golden Horse Awards, with films such as Summer Snow (1995) and A Simple Life (2011) earning widespread critical recognition.
Hui has previously received numerous international honors, including BIFF’s Asian Filmmaker of the Year award in 2014, the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Asian Film Awards, and the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice International Film Festival.
Known for her compassionate storytelling, Hui’s films often explore the lives of ordinary people while highlighting the experiences of women and broader social issues in Hong Kong.
Commenting on the award, Hui said she now appreciates receiving lifetime recognition after decades of filmmaking and expressed her excitement about returning to Busan to meet what she described as one of the world’s most knowledgeable film audiences.
The Camellia Award, inspired by Busan’s city flower and Gabrielle Chanel’s favorite flower, was established by BIFF and CHANEL to celebrate pioneering women filmmakers and inspire future generations in the industry.
The award will be presented during the opening ceremony of the 31st Busan International Film Festival on October 6 at the Busan Cinema Center.
The festival runs through October 15.
