Tilda Swinton honoured with lifetime achievement award for ‘breathtaking range’

Tilda Swinton has been given a lifetime achievement prize from the Berlin International Film Festival for a long career demonstrating “breathtaking” range.

The British actress, who won a best supporting actress Oscar for legal thriller Michael Clayton, is known for Marvel movie Doctor Strange, fantasy Three Thousand Years Of Longing and drama The Beach.

Swinton follows directors Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, as well as actors Willem Dafoe and Sir Ian McKellen in being honoured with the Honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement.

The 64-year-old actress said: “The Berlinale is the first film festival I ever went to, in 1986 with (director) 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 honoured 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.”

Berlin Film Festival director Tricia Tuttle said: “The range of Tilda Swinton’s work is breathtaking.

“To cinema she brings so much humanity, compassion, intelligence, humour 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’s latest film, The Room Next Door with American actress Julianne Moore, about two friends who reconnect as one of them goes through terminal cancer, has attracted awards buzz.

It is based on the book What Are You Going Through by American writer Sigrid Nunez, and secured the Golden Lion, which is awarded for best film, at the Venice Film Festival over the summer.

The Berlin prize will be presented to Swinton at the opening ceremony at the Berlinale Palast on February 13 2025.