BIFF: Michelle Yeoh honored as Asian Filmmaker of the Year
What's the story
Hollywood actor Michelle Yeoh has been named the Asian Filmmaker of the Year at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). The annual award recognizes an Asian film professional or organization for their outstanding contributions to Asian cinema. In a statement, the festival said, "Versatile, commanding, and fiercely resolute - Michelle Yeoh's performances are transcendent in every aspect: technique, style, and presence."
Career highlights
Yeoh's early career and rise to fame
Yeoh, who was born in Malaysia, began her career in Hong Kong cinema with Yes, Madam! (1985).
She went on to star in iconic films such as Police Story 3: Supercop (1992) and Wing Chun (1994), defying patriarchal norms of the action genre.
Her international fame skyrocketed with roles in James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).
Recent work
Her Academy Award and other achievements
Yeoh's international career continued to flourish with roles in Crazy Rich Asians (2018), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022), and Wicked (2024).
Everything Everywhere All At Once won her the Academy Award for Best Actress, along with top honors at the SAG Awards and Golden Globes.
Her association with BIFF dates back to 2002 when she attended the festival for the Pusan Promotion Plan.
Festival tribute
Special program at this year's BIFF
At this year's Busan International Film Festival (October 6-15), a Special Program in Focus will feature three films selected by Yeoh: Reign Of Assassins, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and Sandiwara.
Her latest feature, It's My Time (2026), will also be screened.
The Asian Filmmaker of the Year award will be presented at the festival's Opening Ceremony on October 6.
Previous awardees include Jafar Panahi, Kurosawa Kiyoshi, Chow Yun Fat, and Tony Chiu-Wai Leung.