Heo Gayoung Wins the 2025 Lights On Women’s Worth Award for “First Summer”

Presented by Viola Davis at the Cannes Film Festival

L’Oréal Paris has announced the recipient of the fifth annual Lights On Women’s Worth Award, honoring exceptional emerging female filmmakers. This year’s winner is Heo Gayoung from South Korea for her poignant short film “First Summer” – selected from the Short Film Competition and La Cinef selection at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

The award was presented on May 23, 2025, during the prestigious Cinéma de Demain Dinner, with Viola Davis, Academy Award-winning actress and L’Oréal Paris global ambassador since 2019, serving as the award’s juror for the first time. Davis follows in the footsteps of Elle Fanning and Kate Winslet, both of whom previously served in this role. In addition to the cash prize, Heo Gayoung will receive exclusive mentoring from L’Oréal Paris.

“The depth with which she understands human loss is extraordinary,” said Davis.
“Through Yeongsun, Heo Gayoung captures the desperate urge to defend what makes us feel alive—at any cost. It’s a brave, powerful, and deeply feminine story.”

“First Summer” is a 30-minute narrative centered around Yeongsun, a woman who chooses to attend her late partner Haksu’s 49-day memorial ceremony rather than her granddaughter’s wedding. The film explores themes of grief, memory, and female agency with subtlety and emotional depth.

Celebrating its five-year anniversary, the Lights On Women’s Worth Award continues L’Oréal Paris’ mission to support gender equality in the film industry. As the official partner of the Festival de Cannes for 28 years, L’Oréal Paris consistently spotlights women’s voices and stories through initiatives like this award.

Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, Global Brand President of L’Oréal Paris, commented:

“This award symbolizes our ongoing commitment to elevating women in film—a cause that lies at the heart of our brand. We aim to give women visibility, a platform, and the spotlight they deserve. Over the past five years, we’ve honored directors with exceptional promise. My greatest hope is that one day, this award will no longer be necessary—because women will finally hold their rightful place at the center of cinema.”

The Cinéma de Demain Dinner brings together leading industry figures to champion rising talent. Heo Gayoung follows Viv Li, who received the award in 2024 for her short “Across the Waters.”

This year’s selected finalists included talented filmmakers from around the globe:

• Inês Nunes – A Solidão dos Lagartos (Portugal / Spain)

• Kyla Danelle Romero & Arvin Belarmino – Agapito (Philippines)

• Sandra Desmazières – Fille de l’Eau (France)

• Martine Frossard – Hypersensible (Canada)

• Shuhan Liao & Zhaoguang Luo – Nvhai (China)

• Oumnia Hanader – Bimo (France)

• Vida Skerk – Ether (UK)

• Miki Tanaka – Ginger Boy (Japan)

• Helmi Donner – Matalapainé (Finland)

• Polina Piddubna – My Grandmother Is a Skydiver (Germany)

• Laura Anahory – O Pássaro de Dentro (Portugal)

• Natalia Mirzoyan – Winter in March (Estonia / Armenia / France)

The evening was graced by numerous L’Oréal Paris ambassadors, including Gillian Anderson, Simone Ashley, Alia Bhatt, Elle Fanning, Jane Fonda, and Iris Berben, who joined Viola Davis in celebrating the next generation of female filmmakers.

A Week of Empowerment in Film

In the lead-up to the award, L’Oréal Paris hosted a special celebratory dinner on May 14, 2025, along the French Riviera—dedicated to women in film. The event honored Andie MacDowell for 40 years of partnership with the brand, and Eva Longoria for her 20th anniversary as a L’Oréal Paris ambassador.

Prominent guests from the film industry gathered, including ambassadors, brand allies, official festival jury members, and Un Certain Regard jury members. The guest list featured Juliette Binoche, Halle Berry, Jeremy Strong, Leïla Slimani, Alba Rohrwacher, and Luma Grothe—a powerful showcase of solidarity and female inspiration in cinema.

Past Winners of the Lights On Women’s Worth Award:

• 2025 – Heo Gayoung (First Summer, South Korea): A woman must choose between honoring her late partner or attending her granddaughter’s wedding.

• 2024 – Viv Li (Across the Waters, China): A rebellious teen discovers music through a truck driver’s Walkman in a remote mining town.

• 2023 – Fatima Kaci (La Voix des Autres, France): A translator for refugees begins to question her own identity.

• 2022 – Mai Vu (Spring Roll Dream, Vietnam): A tender film about the emotional significance of family traditions.

• 2021 – Aleksandra Odic (Frida, Germany): A profound encounter between a young nurse and her patient.

Since its inception in 2021, the awarded films have collectively received over 220 official festival selections and 50 international awards.

Through initiatives like the Lights On Women’s Worth Award, L’Oréal Paris continues its mission to empower women, increase visibility, and celebrate new role models—on and off screen.