Taiwanese filmmaker and multi-talented artist Sylvia Chang will be honored with the 2025 Camellia Award at the upcoming Busan International Film Festival, organizers announced this week. The prestigious award, presented in partnership with luxury brand Chanel, specifically recognizes women who have made significant cultural and artistic contributions to Asian cinema throughout their careers.
At 71 years old, Chang brings an impressive five decades of experience across multiple facets of the entertainment industry to this distinguished honor. Her remarkable career spans acting, directing, and producing, making her one of the most versatile figures in Asian cinema. Chang has appeared in more than 100 films throughout her career and has directed 15 feature films since she first stepped behind the camera in the 1980s.
Among her most notable directorial works is "20 30 40," which competed for the prestigious Golden Bear award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2004. Another significant achievement came with "Love Education," which served as the closing film at BIFF in 2017 and earned Chang the best screenplay prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards. These accomplishments highlight her skill not only as a director but also as a storyteller and screenwriter.
Chang holds the remarkable distinction of being the record holder for the most Golden Horse acting nominations, with an impressive 11 nominations and three wins to her name. This achievement underscores her exceptional talent and consistent excellence as a performer throughout her lengthy career. Her ability to excel across multiple disciplines has built her reputation as one of the most respected figures in Chinese-language cinema.
Beyond her work in front of and behind the camera, Chang has made significant contributions as a producer. She produced "That Day on the Beach," which marked Edward Yang's directorial debut and is widely considered the starting point of the influential Taiwanese New Wave movement that fundamentally reshaped Chinese-language cinema in the 1980s. This movement had a lasting impact on how stories were told in Asian cinema and established Taiwan as a major force in international filmmaking.
Chang's talents extend far beyond the film industry. She also achieved considerable success as a pop star, with her 1992 song "The Price of Love" becoming a massive hit across the entire Chinese-speaking world. This crossover success demonstrates her versatility as an entertainer and her ability to connect with audiences through different artistic mediums.
The international recognition of Chang's contributions has been substantial. France previously honored her with the Chevalier grade of the Order of Arts and Letters, one of that country's highest cultural honors. Additionally, she has collected lifetime achievement awards from both the Asian Film Awards and Udine's Far East Film Festival, cementing her status as a legend in Asian cinema.
"It's a blessing to be a filmmaker for 53 years, and still going on," Chang said in a statement regarding the honor. Her words reflect not only gratitude for her long career but also her continued passion for filmmaking well into her seventies. Chang is attending this year's Busan film festival with her latest work, "Measure in Love," demonstrating that she remains active and creative in her craft.
The Camellia Award will be presented to Chang at BIFF's opening ceremony on September 17. The 30th edition of the Busan International Film Festival will run through September 26, with screenings and events taking place at the Busan Cinema Center and various venues throughout the city. This milestone festival edition provides a fitting backdrop for honoring Chang's extraordinary contributions to Asian cinema.
