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Berlin Film Fest Drenched but Dazzling
12 Feb
Summary
- Michelle Yeoh received the Honorary Golden Bear award.
- The festival started despite heavy rain and cold weather.
- Political statements were minimal, focusing on filmmaking art.
The 2026 Berlin Film Festival officially opened on Thursday, February 12th, with attendees braving cold and wet conditions due to a significant rainstorm.
Stars like Bella Ramsey and Neil Patrick Harris walked the red carpet, umbrellas in hand, to celebrate the festival's commencement. This year's Honorary Golden Bear was awarded to Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh, who expressed her gratitude and anticipation for future collaborations.
Yeoh's acceptance speech touched upon her personal journey and the support she received from Berlin early in her career. She fondly remembered her late father and the discipline he instilled, moving the audience to a standing ovation.
In contrast to past editions, the opening ceremony shifted focus from politics to the art of cinema. While some festivalgoers displayed anti-fascist and "Free Iran" signs on the red carpet, the ceremony itself maintained a lighter tone. Competition jury head Wim Wenders stated that film acts as a counterweight to politics.
Festival chief Tricia Tuttle highlighted the industry's resilience and creative output, teasing a diverse lineup. The opening film, Shahrbanoo Sadat's "No Good Men," is the first Afghan film to feature an on-screen kiss and is set against the backdrop of Kabul's fall.
The festival will showcase buzzy premieres, including Charli XCX's "The Moment" and Karim Aïnouz's "Rosebush Pruning," alongside anticipated films like "At the Sea" and Sundance standouts.
