Istanbul Film Festival closes with award ceremony
ISTANBUL
Director Onur Ünlü makes a speech while receiving his award for his screenplay for the winning film ‘Thou Gild’st the Even.’
The 32nd Istanbul Film Festival, organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), closed on April 14 at the Closing Gala and Awards Ceremony at Cemal Reşit ReyConcert Hall.
Prominent director Peter Weir, director of “Gallipoli,” “Dead Poets Society,” “Green Card” and “The Truman Show,” and also the head of the jury for the International Golden Tulip Competition, was presented with the Honorary Award of the festival by the Istanbul Film Festival director, Azize Tan.
This year the jury of the Golden Tulip International Competition was presided over by Weir, and composed of Screen International magazine film critic Mark Adams, director Sebastian Lelio, actress Simin Fatemeh Motamed Arya and director Malgoska Szumowska. Thirteen films competed for the Golden Tulip Award in the International Competition.
The Golden Tulip, in memory of Şakir Eczacıbaşı, in the International Competition of the Istanbul Film Festival was presented to “What Richard Did,” directed by Lenny Abrahamson. Special Jury Prize in the Golden Tulip International Competition was given to “Camille Claudel 1915” by Bruno Dumont.
The second grand award of the festival was given to the winner of the Golden Tulip National Competition, headed by director Tayfun Pirselimoğlu. The award was given to “Sen Aydınlatırsın Geceyi” (Thou Gild’st the Even) by Onur Ünlü. The Golden Tulip Best Director Award was given to Aslı Özge for her film “Hayatboyu” (Lifelong). The Special Prize of the jury in the same category was awarded to “Devir” (The Cycle) by Derviş Zaim.
The Best Actress Award was given to Sema Poyraz for her performance in “Özür Dilerim” (Forgive Me). The Golden Tulip Best Actor Award was given to Ercan Kesal for his performance in “Yozgat Blues.”
The Best Screenplay Award was presented to Ünlü for his screenplay for the winning film “Sen Aydınlatırsın Geceyi” while the Best Director of Photography Award was presented to Emre Erkmen for his work in “Hayatboyu.”
The Best Music Award of the festival was given to Murat Başaran for his work for “Soğuk” (Cold) while the Best Editing Award was presented to Emre Boyraz for his work on “Sen Aydınlatırsın Geceyi.”
Award in memoriam of Seyfi Teoman
The Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Award, presented for the first time this year in memoriam of the director and producer Seyfi Teoman, who passed away at a very young age last year in an accident, was also announced at the ceremony. Jury members for the award were director Emin Alper, actress Saadet Aksoy and film critic Rüdiger Suchsland.
All debut films from Turkey in the Golden Tulip International and National Competitions, under the Out of Competition and New Turkish Cinema titles of the Turkish Cinema section of the festival, and in the Human Rights in Cinema section were nominated for the award. Deniz Akçay Katıksız received the award for “Köksüz” (Nobody’s Home).
Another award of the festival, the Film Award of the Council of Europe (FACE) was given to “Patience Stone” by Atiq Rahimi. The Special Mention Prize in the Human Rights in Cinema Competition was presented to “An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker” by Danis Tanovic and “JISEUL” by Muel O.
The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) gave two awards at the Istanbul Film Festival this year. The FIPRESCI Award in the National Competition was presented to “Sen Aydınlatırsın Geceyi” and to “Camille Claudel 1915.”
After the Awards Ceremony of the 32nd Istanbul Film Festival, guests watched “What Richard Did.” The closing events of the festival continued with the closing party with the participation of national and international guests of the festival, actors and directors of the films competing for the Golden Tulip as well as significant figures in Turkish cinema.