Yellow Letters Wins Berlin’s Golden Bear in Politically Charged Berlinale

At the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, Ilker Çatak’s Yellow Letters won the Golden Bear, signaling a politically charged mood as jurors including Wim Wenders highlighted films with social commentary; other prizes went to Salvation (Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize), Queen at Sea (Silver Bear Jury Prize and Best Supporting), Grant Gee (Silver Bear Best Director for Everyone Digs Bill Evans), Nina Roza (Silver Bear for Best Screenplay), and Yo (Love Is a Rebellious Bird) for outstanding artistic contribution. Çatak became the first German-born director to win the Golden Bear since Fatih Akın (Head-On, 2004). The festival also featured expressive political speeches and reflections on oppression, with Yellow Letters centering on Turkish artists persecuted under an authoritarian regime, though shot entirely in Germany.