The German film 'Gelbe Briefe', directed and written by İlker Çatak, took home the Golden Bear award at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival, held on Saturday, the 21st. The film narrates the poignant story of a couple of Turkish theater artists who lose their jobs and become targets of political persecution in their homeland. This recognition highlights the film’s critical examination of political repression and its impact on artists.

In addition to 'Gelbe Briefe', which was the standout winner, the Brazilian filmmaker Karim Aïnouz's film 'Rosebush Pruning' competed but did not clinch any of the major awards. The festival also showcased several notable international films, with the Turkish submission 'Kurtuluş' receiving the Silver Bear for Grand Jury Prize, which is the second-highest accolade at the event, and the British film 'Queen at Sea' taking home the Silver Bear for the Jury Prize. This diverse range of winners reflects the festival’s commitment to celebrating artistic creativity across various cultures.

The Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance was awarded to Sandra Hüller for her role in 'Rose', while the Best Director prize went to British filmmaker Grant Gee for 'Everybody Digs Bill Evans'. These awards further underscore the festival's recognition of exceptional talent and artistry in filmmaking, contributing to ongoing conversations about the intersection of cinema and societal issues.