Golden Butterfly Awards recognize best of Turkey’s TV and music world

ISTANBUL

CNN Türk Ankara bureau chief Hande Fırat receives her Media Event Special Prize from Doğan Holding Honorary Chairman Aydın Doğan. Fırat had interviewed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan through the FaceTime application on her mobile phone on the night of the July 15 coup attempt, which changed the course of events

The 43rd Pantene Golden Butterfly Awards were presented on Nov. 13 at a ceremony held at Istanbul’s Zorlu Center PSM, rewarding the best of Turkey’s television and music world. 

The award winners were selected with the votes of readers of daily Hürriyet, and the ceremony was broadcast live on Kanal D and CNN Türk.

The ceremony, presented by comedian Okan Bayülgen and actress Pelin Akil Altan, opened with a performance by internationally acclaimed pop singer Tarkan and continued with the presentation of the awards. 

The Best TV Drama Award went to the historical series “Diriliş Ertuğrul,” the Best Actress Award went to Burçin Terzioğlu for her role in Kanal D drama “Poyraz Karayel,” while the Best Actor Award went to her partner in the same drama, İlker Kaleli. The winner of the Best Child Actor Award was Beren Gökyıldız. 

CNN Türk Ankara bureau chief Hande Fırat was the recipient of the year’s Media Event Special Prize for her interview with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan through the FaceTime application on her mobile phone on the night of Turkey’s military coup attempt of July 15, which changed the course of events. Fırat received her award from Doğan Holding Honorary Chairman Aydın Doğan. 

Beyazıt Öztürk, who presents a popular talk show program on Kanal D “Beyaz Show,” was given the Best Male Presenter Award, while singer Sıla won the Best Female Turkish Pop Singer Award and Murat Boz won the Best Male Turkish Pop Singer Award. After giving the ceremony’s opening performance, Tarkan won the Best Project Award for his latest album “Ahde Vefa.” 

Fox TV news presenter Fatih Portakal was chosen the best anchorman by Hürriyet readers, while the Lifetime Achievement Award of this year’s Pantene Golden Butterfly Awards went to the veteran pop band, Mazhar-Fuat-Özkan, also known as MFÖ.