Awards presented at 37th Istanbul Film Festival
ISTANBUL
Valeska Grisebach
The 37th Istanbul Film Festival announced the award-winners at a ceremony held at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum on April 17. Sixty films vied in national and international competitions at this year’s festival.
Hosted by writer and TV programmer Yekta Kopan, awards were presented in the following categories: International and National Competitions, Human Rights in Cinema, National Documentary and National Short Film competitions, as well as the Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Prize, FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics), and National Short Film Awards.
In this year’s International Competition, 11 films from 11 countries were evaluated to receive the grand prize of the festival, the Golden Tulip.
The winner of the Golden Tulip in the International Competition is “Western,” directed by Valeska Grisebach. The winner was announced by the head of the jury, Joao Pedro Rodrigues.
The International Competition’s Special Jury Prize was presented by the director of Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival Tiina Lokk. The award went to “Cocote,” directed by Nelson Carlo de los Santos Arias.
The Human Rights in Cinema award has only been presented at the Istanbul Film Festival in the last 12 years. The award was given to “Frost,” directed by Sharunas Bartas.
Thirteen films that were completed in the 2017-18 season vied for the Golden Tulip in the National Competition of the festival.
Among them, 10 films had their world premieres and one had its Turkish premiere at the festival. The National Competition jury awarded prizes in nine categories: Best Film, Best Director, Special Jury Award, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Director of Photography, Best Editing, and Best Music.
The Golden Tulip for the Best Film in the National Competition went to “Debt,” directed by Vuslat Saraçoğlu. The award, which is a monetary prize of 150,000 Turkish liras, was announced by jury president Pelin Esmer.
Tayfun Pirselimoğlu won Best Director for his film “Sideway.” The winner was announced by director Marcelo Martinessi.
The Special Jury Prize in memory of Onat Kutlar was presented by Selen Uçer and awarded for “Butterflies,” directed by Tolga Karaçelik.
Mehmet Ali Konar’s film “Hewno Bêreng/Colorless Dream” was given a Special Mention. Barbara Lorey de la Charrière presented the award.
Demet Evgar won the Best Actress Award for her role in “Serial Cook.” The award was presented by actor and director Onur Saylak.
The Best Actor Award was given to Tolga Tekin for his role in “Butterflies” and Tansu Biçer for his role in “Sideway.” They received their awards from actress Angeliki Papulia.
The Best Screenplay Award in the National Competition was given to Ümit Ünal for the film “Serial Cook.”
The Best Cinematographer Award in the National Competition was given to Florent Herry for the film “The Escape.”
The Best Editing Award in the National Competition was given to Osman Bayraktaroğlu for his work in the film “Serial Cook.”
The Best Original Music Award in the National Competition went to Canset Özge Can for the film “The Pigeon.”
Spearheaded with the objectives of encouraging short film making, supporting the development in this field, and bringing together the audience and outstanding short films, the National Short Film Competition was held for the third time this year.
Umut Subaşı’s film “I Don’t Believe In You But Then There Is Gravity” won the Best Short Film Award.
Harun Durmuş’s film “East Side” won the Special Mention.
The Best Documentary Award was given to “Fragments,” directed by Rojda Akbayır and Banu Sıvacı’s film “The Pigeon” won the Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Prize.
Three FIPRESCI awards were presented for “The Rider” by Chloé Zhao,” “The Gulf” by Emre Yeksan, and “Wicked Girl” by Ayçe Kartal.