Several acclaimed directors and films have won the Golden Bear, showcasing the festival’s diverse selection of cinema. Notable past winners include Taxi (2015) by Jafar Panahi, a powerful commentary on life in Iran and Spirited Away (2002) by Hayao Miyazaki, an animated masterpiece that captivated audiences worldwide.

The British actress — whose most recent film is Pedro Almodóvar’s 'The Room Next Door' — will receive an Honorary Golden Bear at the opening ceremony of the festival’s 75th edition.

British actor Tilda Swinton, known for her often eccentric and quirky roles in both independent and blockbuster films, said on Friday that she decided "in a personal moment" to attend the Berlin Film Festival despite boycott calls over the war in Gaza.