Berlin, Germany – In a major coup for the Berlin International Film Festival, the world premiere of Sandiwara, a highly anticipated collaborative film project from Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh and acclaimed indie director Sean Baker (The Florida Project, Anora), has been officially set for the 2025 festival lineup. The film is the groundbreaking first feature to emerge from Yeoh’s Self-Portrait Residency Program, confirming its status as a powerful new incubator for global auteur cinema.
The Genesis: A Program Built on Creative Freedom
The Self-Portrait Residency Program, launched quietly in 2023 by Yeoh and a collective of international artistic advisors, was designed as an antidote to conventional studio development. Named for its mission to help filmmakers craft their most personal “self-portrait” projects, it offers selected directors resources, creative sanctuary, and most uniquely, the active mentorship and sometimes creative partnership of Michelle Yeoh herself.
Sandiwara is the program’s flagship production. While plot details remain closely guarded, sources describe it as a multilingual drama set in Southeast Asia, intertwining themes of identity, performance, and memory. The title itself, meaning “play” or “drama” in Malay and Indonesian, hints at layered narratives within narratives.
An Unlikely, Potent Collaboration
The pairing of Yeoh and Baker has sparked intense curiosity. Baker, known for his vibrant, naturalistic portraits of marginalized American communities, steps into a new cultural milieu under the guidance of Yeoh, who brings her deep understanding of pan-Asian cinema and performance. Yeoh is credited as a producer and creative director on the project, with Baker directing from a script they developed with writers from the region.
“This isn’t just about financing a film,” said a program spokesperson. “It’s about Michelle providing the connective tissue—access, cultural context, and a profound creative dialogue—to empower a visionary director like Sean to explore uncharted territory. The result is something neither could have made alone.”
Berlinale: The Perfect Stage
The Berlin Film Festival, renowned for its political and artistic daring, is the ideal launchpad for Sandiwara. Festival Director Carlo Chatrian hailed the selection: “Sandiwara represents exactly the kind of cross-cultural, auteur-driven cinema Berlinale exists to champion. It merges the distinct voice of Sean Baker with the transformative vision of Michelle Yeoh’s initiative. It’s a bold statement and we believe a significant cinematic event.”
Industry analysts note the premiere is strategically significant, instantly elevating the profile of the Self-Portrait Residency Program and signaling Yeoh’s influential role behind the camera following her historic Oscar win for Everything Everywhere All at Once.
What’s Next?
With its Berlinale premiere locked, Sandiwara is poised to be one of the most talked-about titles of the 2025 festival season. Its success will be a major test case for the residency model, potentially paving the way for more hybrid collaborations between global stars and independent directorial voices.
All eyes will be on Berlin this February, not just for the film itself, but for the new model of international co-creation it represents.