Washington [US]: Acclaimed actress Tilda Swinton, known for her roles in The Deep End, Vanilla Sky, Adaptation, and Young Adam, will be honored with an honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival. The prestigious award will be presented to Swinton at the opening ceremony on February 13, 2025, at the Berlinale Palast, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Berlinale festival director Tricia Tuttle praised Swinton’s vast body of work, stating, “The range of Tilda Swinton’s work is breathtaking. She brings so much humanity, compassion, intelligence, humor, and style, and she expands our ideas of the world through her work. Tilda is one of our modern filmmaking idols, and has also long been part of the Berlinale family. We are delighted to be able to present her with this Honorary Golden Bear.”
Swinton has been a frequent presence at the Berlinale, having appeared in 26 films that have screened in various sections over the years. Notable films include Derek Jarman’s Caravaggio, which won the Silver Bear in 1986, Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, which opened the 2014 festival, and the Coen brothers’ Hail, Caesar!, which opened the 2016 Berlinale. In 2009, she also served as president of the Berlin competition jury.
Reflecting on her connection to the festival, Swinton shared, “The Berlinale is the first film festival I ever went to, in 1986 with Derek Jarman and the first film I made, his Caravaggio. It was my portal into the world in which I have made my life’s work – the world of international filmmaking – and I have never forgotten the debt I owe it. To be honored in this way by this particular festival is deeply touching for me: it will be my privilege and pleasure to celebrate, once more next February, the seedbed that is this wide-eyed and reliably wonderful gathering.”
The 75th Berlin International Film Festival will run from February 13-23, 2025.