The Camellia Award, newly established this year by the Busan International Film Festival and CHANEL on the occasion of the 29th International Film Festival, was created to celebrate women in cinema and recognise their cultural and artistic contributions across Asia. The first recipient of the award is Korean production designer Ryu Seong-hie.
Throughout history, pioneering women worldwide have made enormous contributions to the cinema industry, including direction, production, 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 favourite flower.
Ryu Seong-hie, the first honoree of the award, is a prominent Korean production designer who majored in ceramics at Hongik University and studied film at the American Film Institute (AFI). She has established a distinguished career through numerous works, including Memories of Murder (2003), Oldboy (2003), The Host (2006), Thirst (2009), The Front Line (2011), Ode to My Father (2014), Assassination (2015), Decision to Leave (2022) and more. Notably, she has frequently collaborated with director Park Chan-wook, and with The Handmaiden (2016), she became the first Korean to win the Vulcan Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, demonstrating the world-class level of Korean cinema.
Production designer Ryu Seong-hie has played a pivotal role in the aesthetic vision of films through her refined sensibility. In the collaborative world of filmmaking, where many contribute to the final product and roles like production design often remain overshadowed by directors and actors, Ryu Seong-hie has firmly established her position and the significance of production design in the film industry.
Selected by the Busan International Film Festival and CHANEL, the first-ever Camellia Award will be presented at the 2024 Busan International Film Festival opening ceremony on Oct 2 (Wed). A special talk with production designer Ryu Seong-hie is also scheduled for Oct 5 (Sat).
The 29th Busan International Film Festival will be held at the Busan Cinema Center from Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri), for ten days.
▶ The 29th Busan International Film Festival | Oct 2 (Wed) – Oct 11 (Fri)
▶ The 19th Asian Contents & Film Market | Oct 5 (Sat) – Oct 8 (Tues)