Oscar-winning actor Michelle Yeoh will receive the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award at the opening night of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) on October 6, the festival organizers said Thursday. The prestigious award is presented annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Asian film industry and its culture. Yeoh, who turned 64 on Thursday, has forged a groundbreaking path across both Asian and Western cinema. Taking on her first lead role in "Yes, Madam" in 1985, she redefined action roles for women in male-dominated genres through hits such as "Police Story 3: Supercop" (1992) and "Wing Chun” (1994). She gained international prominence through the James Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997) and solidified her status as a global star in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000). In 2023, Yeoh made history as the first Asian actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her lead role in "Everything Everywhere All at Once" (2022). She further cemented her legacy on the world stage by receiving the Honorary Golden Bear at the 2026 Berlin