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Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Director İlker Çatak has won the award, Golden Bear at this year’s Berlinale, the Berlin International Film Festival, for his film Yellow Letters — marking the first time in more than two decades that a German director has taken home the festival’s top prize.
The award represents a historic moment for German cinema, as it has been over 20 years since a film by a German director last claimed the coveted top honor at the Berlinale.
The film, described as a tale of political oppression, arrives at a culturally charged moment in Europe, where debates around free expression, authoritarianism, and the role of art in society have taken on renewed urgency.
Çatak, who previously garnered international attention for his 2023 drama The Teachers’ Lounge, once again demonstrates a sharp eye for institutional power dynamics and moral complexity.
Jury chair Wim Wenders, however, drew attention ahead of the ceremony when he said filmmakers “have to stay out of politics” — a comment that sparked debate among attendees and critics given the politically charged themes running through many of this year’s competing films.
The Berlinale, one of the world’s leading film festivals alongside Cannes film festival and Venice film festival, draws filmmakers, industry figures, and audiences from across the globe each February. This year’s edition proved particularly notable, with Yellow Letters emerging as a clear crowd and jury favorite.
Çatak accepted the award to enthusiastic applause, and distributors are expected to announce international release plans for the film in the coming weeks.
