Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh is set to be honored with the Golden Bear at the upcoming Berlin Film Festival in recognition of her remarkable contributions to cinema. The festival officially announced this accolade on Friday, stating that Yeoh will receive the award during the opening ceremony of the 76th Berlinale on February 12, 2026.
Festival director Tricia Tuttle praised Yeoh as a “visionary artist and performer,” highlighting her ability to transcend artistic and cultural borders. Tuttle noted that Yeoh’s powerful performances and bold artistic choices have profoundly influenced both filmmakers and audiences worldwide throughout her illustrious career.
Yeoh made her mark in the film industry during the 1980s and 1990s with memorable roles in action films such as Yes, Madam, Royal Warriors, Police Story III, and Wing Chun, earning her a reputation as a leading figure in Asian martial arts cinema. She gained international fame in 1997 as badass secret agent Wai Lin in the James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies and became a global star with her acclaimed role in Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Her recent work in Everything Everywhere All at Once earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2023, making history as the first Asian actress to achieve this honor.
Yeoh’s upcoming projects include a role as Madame Morrible in Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of Wicked: For Good, which is set to release in U.S. theaters next week. She is also noteworthy for her past involvement with the Berlinale, having served on the festival’s International Jury in 1999.
Expressing her sentiments, Yeoh remarked, “Berlin has always held a special place in my heart. It was one of the first festivals to embrace my work with such warmth and generosity,” adding that returning to the festival to celebrate her cinematic journey is deeply meaningful to her.
The 76th Berlin Film Festival will take place from February 12 to February 22, 2026. This prestigious award comes at a time when Yeoh continues to inspire countless fans and aspiring filmmakers around the world with her groundbreaking achievements in film.