The 61st International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival Concludes with an Award Ceremony. At the ceremony, Ayşe and Mukadderat were the most awarded films.
Haşim KILIÇ
THE 61st International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, organized by the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, came to a close with a star-studded award ceremony. Mukadderat, directed by Nadim Güç, took home the prestigious Best Film award, while Necmi Sancak won Best Director for his work on Ayşe. In addition to the Best Film honor, Mukadderat also earned accolades for Best Actress (Nur Sürer) and Best Supporting Actor (Osman Sonant). Meanwhile, Ayşe claimed the Best Director Golden Orange and received several other honors, including Best First Film, Best Actress (Binnur Kaya), and the Best Director award from the Film Directors’ Guild.
COPYRIGHT FEES WILL BE PAID
The award ceremony, hosted by Şebnem Dönmez at the Glass Pyramid, began with a concert by the Barabar Group, founded by actors Serkan Keskin and Taner Ölmez. Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and festival president Muhittin Böcek stated, “This year, for the first time during the Cinema Workshop at our festival, we decided with all stakeholders in the industry. As a result of our discussions with the Federation of Cinema Owners, we will pay the copyright fees for all the films shown at the festival.”
STUDENT AWARDS
The first award of the night, which was also a first for the festival, was for the Student Film Competition. The jury, composed of director Handan İpekçi, producer Aycan Çetin, and SETEM (Association of Cinema and Television Works) President Mehmet Güleryüz, presented the awards. The Student Films Jury Special Award went to Döngü by Ramazan Yakut from Kastamonu University, while the Best Film award was won by Sistem by Abdülhalim Erez from Maltepe University.
BEST SHORT FILMS
The National Short Film Jury, composed of actor-director Derya Durmaz, directors Pınar Göktaş and Erdem Tepegöz, awarded Mükemmel (Perfect) directed by Ece Dizdar with the Jury Special Award, and Neredeyse Kesinlikle Yanlış (Almost Certainly Wrong) directed by Cansu Bayrak with the Best Short Film award. In her acceptance speech, Bayrak said, “I salute all those who have resisted censorship to this day. We will not give up on our rights or our lives.”
DOCUMENTARY AWARDS
The National Documentary Film Jury, consisting of director-academic Nurdan Tümbek, directors Jale İncekol, and Ahmet Yeşiltepe, awarded the Jury Special Award to Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu: Those Who Unlock the Secrets of the Earth, directed by Ali Kemal Pasiner; while the Best Documentary award went to Kadranı Olmayan Saat (The Clock Without Hands) directed by Fatma Karakuş Kaçmaz.
INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS
The 61st International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival wrapped up with a series of impressive awards. In the International Feature Film Competition, 12 films from 18 countries competed, with the results announced by a jury led by Iranian filmmaker Mahmud Kalhari. The Jury Special Award was presented to Nadir Seivar for his film Witness, which he accepted with a powerful statement: “This award is not mine; it belongs to the 1,500 young women in Iran who were killed after taking to the streets. I hold this award in trust for them until the day Iran gains freedom.” The Best Actress award went to Vic Carmen Sonne for her role in The Girl with the Needle, while Franklin Aro Huasco was named Best Actor for his performance in The Dog Thief. The Best Director award in the international competition went to Vinko Tomicic for The Dog Thief, and the Best Film award was given to Don’t You Let Me Go, directed by Ana Guevara and Leticia Jorge.
In the National Feature Film Competition, Mukadderat, directed by Nadim Güç, won Best Film, while Ayşe, directed by Necmi Sancak, earned the Best Director award.
The Cahide Sonku Award, presented by actress Hatice Aslan, was awarded to Yağmur Ergül for Gülizar, with Elif Kararslan accepting the award on her behalf.
The Best Screenplay award, presented by National Jury President Ferzan Özpetek, was won by Ümit Ünal for Evcilik. In his acceptance speech, Ünal expressed his gratitude: “It takes hundreds of people believing in a screenplay for it to come to life. I want to thank everyone who believed in me, especially Nejat.”
KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF WOMEN!
Nejat İşler won Best Actor for his compelling performance in Evcilik, while the Best Actress award was jointly presented to Binnur Kaya for her role in Ayşe and Nur Sürer for her portrayal in Mukadderat. In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Sürer dedicated the award to the legendary Yılmaz Güney, who passed away in Paris 40 years ago. “I am accepting this award for our greatest master, whose value was often diminished,” she said, concluding with a passionate plea: “Keep your hands off women, children, animals, and trees!” Binnur Kaya, equally emotional, dedicated her award to all women who devoted their lives to others and tragically lost their lives in plain sight. “Women shouted, raised their voices, and took to the streets, and they were heard and seen. Women have done what needed to be done; now it’s time to take action. We urgently expect those who need to take action to do so!” Both actresses concluded their speeches in unison, stating, “The Istanbul Convention saves lives.”
A TRIBUTE TO WOMEN FIGHTING FOR EXISTENCE
Ayça Bingöl, who won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Fidan, expressed surprise upon receiving the award, saying, “Honestly, I didn’t expect this award at all,” as she thanked the entire team. Osman Sonant, awarded Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Mukadderat, dedicated his honor to women fighting for their right to live and exist: “I dedicate this award to the women who are fighting for their right to live and exist.”
The Behlül Dal First Film Award was presented to Necmi Sancak, director of Ayşe, by actor Mehmet Aslantuğ. Sancak also received the Best Director award from National Jury President Ferzan Özpetek. “It is very meaningful for me to receive this award for my first film and from Ferzan Özpetek himself,” Sancak said.
Belkıs Bayrak, director of Gülizar, which won the Dr. Avni Tolunay Jury Special Award, dedicated her award to women confronting trauma and injustice. “In the film, we address the trauma that follows sexual harassment. I want to dedicate this award to the women of my country who refuse to remain silent and fight under desperate circumstances, as well as to all the women worldwide who are struggling.”
WE WILL CONTINUE TO CREATE
Nadim Güç, director of Mukadderat, which won the Best Film award, took the stage with his young daughter to accept the award. Güç said, “I would like to thank Erdi Işık for bringing this story to me. Thank you to the entire team. We will continue to create.”
