Taiwanese actress, director, producer, and screenwriter Sylvia Chang was awarded the 2025 Camellia Award at the opening ceremony of the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) on September 17 at the Busan Cinema Center.
Presented by Claus Oldager, Managing Director of Chanel Korea, the award recognized Chang’s more than five decades of groundbreaking work in cinema and her influence in expanding opportunities for Asian women filmmakers. In her acceptance speech, Chang reflected on her career and personal journey, noting that “challenges became the drive that kept me going,” linking her resilience to the symbolism of the camellia flower.
Over her career, Chang has appeared in more than 100 films and directed notable works such as 20 30 40 (2004), Murmur of the Hearts (2015), and Love Education (2017). She has previously received international honors including the Chevalier of l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and multiple lifetime achievement awards.
The Camellia Award, jointly presented by BIFF and CHANEL, honors women whose cultural and artistic contributions have shaped the film industry.
