The Berlin International Film Festival has unveiled the winners of its 2026 awards, with Ilker Çatak’s Yellow Letters taking the Golden Bear.
Shot by cinematographer DP Judith Kaufmann BVK, the Turkey-set drama follows an actress and her professor husband as they are targeted by the state, losing both their jobs and their home.
The Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize went to Emin Alper’s Kurtuluş, lensed by DPs Ahmet Sesigürgil and Barış Aygen , while the Silver Bear Jury Prize was awarded to Lance Hammer’s Queen At Sea, photographed by DP Adolpho Veloso ABC AIP.
Queen At Sea
Grant Gee won Best Director for his documentary Everybody Digs Bill Evans, shot by Piers McGrail, and Best Screenplay went to Geneviève Dulude-de Celles for Nina Roza, with cinematography by DP Alexandre Nour Desjardins.
In the performance categories, Sandra Hüller won Best Leading Performance for her role in Rose, shot by DP Gerald Kerkletz. Best Supporting Performance was shared by Anna Calder-Marshall and Tom Courtenay for Queen At Sea.
The award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution went to Anna Fitch and Banker White for Yo (Love Is a Rebellious Bird), with cinematography by DP Andy Mitchell.
