Los Angeles, Feb 6 (.) Sean Baker’s directorial ‘Sandiwara’, starring Michelle Yeoh, is set to have its world premiere at the ‘Berlin Film Festival’ on February 13, according to Variety.
With Sandiwara, the Anora filmmaker returns to his iPhone-filmmaking roots, crafting what a press release describes as an “immersive cinematic experience.”
The film is the first project to emerge from Self-Portrait’s Residency program, launched last year to invite creatives from various disciplines to collaborate with the brand while maintaining their distinct artistic voices.
As part of the initiative, Self-Portrait offers its infrastructure, resources, and global distribution network to support and showcase external talent.
Set in a bustling Malaysian night market, Sandiwara features Yeoh in five different roles, each representing a rarely explored facet of Malaysian culture.
According to the synopsis, the film goes beyond fashion to embrace cinematic storytelling, capturing the spirit and heart of Malaysia. The title is derived from the Malay word meaning “drama” or “theatrical performance,” and the film was shot in Penang.
The ‘Berlinale’ will host a special screening of Sandiwara, followed by a conversation with Baker and Yeoh. Baker will also attend the festival’s opening ceremony on February 12, where Yeoh will be honoured with the Honorary Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement. The ‘Berlin Film Festival’ runs from February 12 to 22.
In addition, the Berlin International Film Festival has unveiled a new slate of titles for its upcoming edition, adding both star power and genre diversity to the Berlinale 2026 lineup. The latest announcements span horror, science fiction, drama, and music-driven stories.
Among the Berlinale Specials is the international premiere of ‘The Only Living Pickpocket’ in New York, directed by Noah Segan and starring John Turturro and Steve Buscemi.
The section will also feature European premieres such as ‘The Weight’, directed by Padraic McKinley and starring Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe, and Gore Verbinski’s sci-fi comedy ‘Good Luck’, ‘Have Fun’, ‘Don’t Die’, featuring Sam Rockwell, Juno Temple, and Zazie Beetz, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
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