The Berlin Film Festival announced its winners on February 21, with the prestigious Golden Bear awarded to the German-Turkish director İlker Çatak's latest film "Yellow Letters." This political drama tells the story of an artist couple from Ankara who face severe political repercussions following an incident during the premiere of their new play, leading to job and housing losses. The film continues the thematic exploration of political tensions that Çatak has become known for, as evidenced by his previous work, "The Teachers' Lounge," which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

During the festival's closing remarks, jury president Wim Wenders expressed the impact of Çatak's film, stating it resonated deeply with the jury and promised that its relevance would be understood worldwide. "Yellow Letters" not only stands out for its strong narrative but also reflects broader socio-political issues faced by artists today, emphasizing the challenges posed by censorship and political strife.

In addition to the Golden Bear, the festival recognized other films including the Silver Bear, awarded to Turkish director Emin Alper for "Salvation," and the jury prize given to American independent director Lance Hammer’s "Queen at Sea." The festival highlighted a diversity of voices in cinema, showcasing important narratives from around the world, which elevates the platform for various filmmakers and underscores the significant role of film in discussing critical social issues.