MUMBAI: Kim Dong-ho, till recently head of Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) has been given a friendship award by Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) for his contributions to the film industry in Asia and support of the Tokyo festival.

Following the screening of Camellia, a special invitation film in the Winds of Asia- Middle East section, the award was given by TIFF and TIFFCOM chairman Tom Yoda to honour Kim’s 15-year tenure as head of PIFF.

Camellia, a three-segment omnibus about romance in Busan, was screened as the closing film at the 15th PIFF on Oct. 15. The omnibus by three directors from Korea, Thailand and Japan, is a part of the Pusan Promotion Project, lead by Kim.

“Even before I assumed the post of chairman at TIFF, Mr. Kim Dong-ho, festival director of PIFF, had supported TIFF,” Yoda said adding, “He has watched over our film festival with deep friendship. I feel that we are extremely fortunate to have a great friend like him.”