The opening ceremony of the 27th Flying Broom International Women’s Film Festival took place at the Opera Stage. During the evening, the ‘Young Witch,’ ‘Bilge Olgaç Achievement Awards,’ and ‘Honor Award’ were presented to their recipients.
Haşim KILIÇ
THE opening night, hosted by Şenay Gürler and Yetkin Dikinciler, brought together many names from the world of cinema. Among the attendees were Çankaya Mayor Hüseyin Can Güner, President of the Turkish Film Critics Association (SİYAD) Esin Küçüktepepınar, President of the Film Producers’ Professional Association (SEYAP) Sevil Demirci, director Biket İlhan, volunteers from the Flying Broom Foundation, festival volunteers, and female cinephiles from Ankara. During the evening, the ‘Honor Award’ was presented to Hatice Aslan, the ‘Bilge Olgaç Achievement Awards’ were given to film producer Nida Karabol, director Ayşe Polat, and actress Tülin Özen, and the ‘Young Witch’ award was given to Deniz İlhan.
ANKARA IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME
Receiving the Honor Award from Ece Dizdar, Hatice Aslan said, “The Opera House is a very special place for me. This is where I watched my first theater play. Yücel Erten directed it. I was deeply moved and watched it 10 times. Coming from Sivas, I think you can understand what it means to watch such a play. Ankara is a very special city for me. It is a city that has been a turning point in my life. I will always remember the healing power of compassion, care, and respect for oneself and all living beings. Being true to one’s word is something very special to me” she said.
BEING A CERTIFIED WITCH IS EXCITING
Receiving the ‘Young Witch’ award from Öyküsu Özyürek, who won the same award last year, Deniz İlhan said, “All women are witches, but being a certified witch is truly exciting. There’s something very reassuring about being recognized by women’s solidarity.” Nida Karabol received her award from director Biket İlhan. Karabol said, “One of the things we want most is peace, empathy, and love. We want secular education. We want culture and art. And most of all, we want cinema.”
BEING A FEMALE DIRECTOR IS TOUGH
Receiving her award from actor Muttalip Müjdeci, director Ayşe Polat said, “Being a woman is tough, but being a female director is even tougher. Female directors have often been sidelined. That’s how cinema history is. But I’m very hopeful for the future. The new generation is very active; they understand women’s solidarity very well.” Çankaya Mayor Hüseyin Can Güner, who was honored with a plaque for his support of the festival, said, “We will continue to support this festival in the coming years and will be companions on this journey.”
