21.02.2026 | Golden Bear for İlker Çatak
The 76th Berlin International Film Festival began with an opening film from Hamburg - and ended with a Golden Bear for Hamburg: Oscar-nominated director İlker Çatak won the Berlinale's highest honour with "Yellow Letters". A total of three MOIN-funded films were honoured: Sandra Hüller received the Silver Bear for her role in "Rose" and "Der Heimatlose" was awarded the Teddy Jury Prize.
A total of eight MOIN-funded films were represented at this year's Berlinale. Hamburg made a strong statement right from the start of the festival: The opening film "No Good Men" by ShahrbanooSadat gave the film location international visibility right from the start, thus paving the way for a crowning finale with the Golden Bear.
Dr Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media: "A great award for an important film. I congratulate İlker Çatak on the Golden Bear for "Yellow Letters". The film deals with the freedom of the arts and artists in an increasingly authoritarian society - and thus focuses on one of the burning issues of our time. Highly recommended viewing. Together with the great opening film "No Good Men" by Shahrbanoo Sadat and the Silver Bear for Sandra Hüller in "Rose", this is a great result for the MOIN Film Fund and the film from Hamburg."
Helge Albers, CEO of the MOIN Film Fund: "With the Golden Bear, İlker Çatak once again underlines that he is one of the most exciting voices in international cinema after his Oscar nomination last year. With 'Yellow Letters', he has succeeded in making a highly political and extremely topical film that has quite rightly received this highest honour. A genuine Hamburg project with 27 days of filming in the Hanseatic city. A Silver Bear went to Sandra Hüller for her magnificent performance in the black-and-white historical drama 'Rose'. And Kai Stänicke's 'Der Heimatlose' more than deservedly won the Teddy Jury Prize. We send our warmest congratulations to all the film teams!"
The Golden Bear is awarded to the best feature film in the international competition at the Berlin International Film Festival. It is considered the most important award of the festival and one of the most prestigious honours in international cinema.
With this award, the international jury honours outstanding performances in the competition.
The TEDDY is the world's most important queer film award and is presented as part of the Berlinale. The Jury Award honours particularly outstanding artistic contributions and sends a strong signal for diversity, visibility and social relevance.
With "Yellow Letters" (if... Productions Film, Munich), Oscar-nominated Director İlker Çatak tells a drama from Turkey that was realised in Germany. The film was shot in Hamburg over a period of three weeks. The film tells the story of artist couple Derya and Aziz from Ankara, who are targeted by the state overnight and lose their job and home. Together with their daughter, they go to Istanbul, where they have to decide between their values and their future together as a family.
The film was supported by the MOIN Film Fund with a grant of 450,000 euros.
In the German-Austrian co-production "Rose" (ROW Pictures, Leipzig), the action takes place in a 17th century Protestant village. The arrival of a scarred stranger (Sandra Hüller) causes mistrust among the villagers. The Stranger, however, proves to be hardworking and God-fearing and becomes part of the community - even though his desire to belong is based on a lie. In his historical drama, Directors Markus Schleinzer tells the story of a person who was born a woman, lived as a man and thus deceived an entire village. Some of the film team are from Hamburg. The film was supported by the MOIN Film Fund with a grant of 100,000 euros.
After 14 years, Hein returns to his home island - but the village doesn't recognise him. Even his childhood friend distances himself from him. A village court is called to clarify whether Hein really is who he claims to be. Directors Kai Stänicke tells of suspicions, growing tensions and Hein's desperate search for evidence to confirm his memories. "Der Heimatlose" (Tamtam Film, Hamburg) had seven days of shooting on Sylt and was supported by the MOIN Film Fund with 560,000 euros. Some of the crew - including Seth Turner (set design) and Stefanie Bieker (costume design) - are from Hamburg.
Photo: Sandra Weller / Berlinale 2026
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