Michelle Yeoh named Asian Filmmaker of the Year at Busan International Film Festival

Michelle Yeoh will receive Asian Filmmaker of the Year award at 31st Busan International Film Festival in October

Michelle Yeoh has been named Asian Filmmaker of the Year at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), with organisers recognising her contributions to the advancement of Asian cinema throughout her career.

The annual honour is presented to an Asian film professional or organisation that has made a significant impact on the region’s film industry. In a statement, the festival praised Yeoh’s body of work, describing her performances as “transcendent in every aspect: technique, style, and presence”.

BIFF also highlighted Yeoh’s influence on action cinema, stating that she “revolutionized the representation of women in action cinema” and became one of Hong Kong cinema’s defining stars.

The festival further noted that, as the first Asian actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, she has continued to build a career spanning both Asia and Hollywood.

Born in Malaysia, Yeoh began her acting career in Hong Kong with Yes, Madam! (1985) before starring in films including Police Story 3: Supercop (1992) and Wing Chun (1994). She later gained international recognition through Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).

Her more recent credits include Crazy Rich Asians (2018), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) and Wicked (2024).

Her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, along with honours from the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Golden Globes.

This year’s festival, running from October 6 to 15, will feature a Special Program in Focus showcasing three films personally selected by Yeoh: Reign of Assassins, Everything Everywhere All at Once and Sandiwara (2026).

Her latest feature, It's My Time (2026), will also screen, while the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award will be presented during the opening ceremony on October 6.