Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Michelle Yeoh Named Asian Filmmaker of the Year in Busan
A big movie festival in South Korea, called the Busan International Film Festival, is giving actress Michelle Yeoh a special award.
The award, named Asian Filmmaker of the Year, is given each year to a person who has done amazing things for movies in Asia.
Born in Malaysia, Michelle Yeoh started her career in Hong Kong action movies and became a star all over the world.
She gained worldwide fame in films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, directed by Ang Lee, and later starred in hits such as Crazy Rich Asians, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Wicked.
In 2022, she made history as the first Asian person to win the Best Actress prize at the Academy Awards for Everything Everywhere All At Once.
The festival says she changed the way women are shown in action movies and that her performances are full of strength and feeling.
At the festival, people can watch three movies that Michelle chose herself, including Everything Everywhere All At Once, while her newest film, It's My Time, will also be shown.
Michelle will receive her award at the festival's opening ceremony on October 6.
Famous stars like Chow Yun-fat and Tony Leung have won this award in past years.
Oscar-winning actor Michelle Yeoh has been named Asian Filmmaker of the Year at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).
The annual honor recognizes an Asian film professional or organization for exceptional contributions to the advancement of Asian cinema.
BIFF praised Yeoh for revolutionizing the representation of women in action cinema and establishing herself as one of Hong Kong cinema's defining stars.
Yeoh became the first Asian performer to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022), also earning Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe honors.
The award will be presented at the Opening Ceremony on October 6 at the Busan Cinema Center, alongside a Special Program in Focus screening her handpicked films Reign of Assassins, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and Sandiwara (2026).
- Who
- Michelle Yeoh, Oscar-winning actor, selected by the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).
- What
- Yeoh was named Asian Filmmaker of the Year, and BIFF will present a Special Program in Focus featuring three films she personally picked.
- When
- The award is presented at the Opening Ceremony on October 6; the 31st BIFF runs October 6-15.
- Where
- Busan Cinema Center and other venues across Busan, South Korea.
- Why
- For her exceptional contributions to the advancement of Asian cinema, including revolutionizing the image of women in action cinema and becoming the first Asian to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
- Award
- Asian Filmmaker of the Year
- Festival
- 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), October 6-15
- Ceremony
- Opening Ceremony, October 6, at the Busan Cinema Center; hosted by Kim Minha
- Special Program in Focus
- Reign of Assassins, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Sandiwara (2026)
- Additional screening
- It's My Time (2026)
- Career milestone
- First Asian to win Academy Award for Best Actress (Everything Everywhere All At Once, 2022)
- Recent honor
- First Asian woman to receive the Honorary Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival
- Previous recipients
- Jafar Panahi (2025), Kurosawa Kiyoshi (2024), Chow Yun Fat (2023), Tony Chiu-Wai Leung (2022)
