Ceylan to compete at Asian film festival

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Nuri Bilge Ceylan. AA photo

The acclaimed Turkish film “Bir Zamanlar Anadolu’da” (Once Upon A Time in Anatolia) by Nuri Bilge Ceylan has received four nominations, including best feature film, at this year’s Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) in Australia.

“Once Upon a Time in Anatolia” will compete against films from Iran, China and India for the Best Feature Film Award.

Ceylan received a nomination for achievement in directing and best screenplay along with Ercan Kesal and Ebru Ceylan. Gökhan Tiryaki was nominated for achievement in cinematography.

Ceylan’s film “Üç Maymun” (Three Monkeys) was nominated for three Asia Pacific Screen Awards in 2008, ultimately taking home the Achievement in Directing Award.

Ceylan, producer Zeynep Özbatur Atakan and Tiryaki are already members of the Asia Pacific Screen Academy and will be joined by the other 2011 nominees.

A total of 240 films were entered into this year’s competition. Thirty-seven received nominations for the 2011 awards, with winners to be announced at the ceremony in Gold Coast, Queensland, on Nov. 24.

Other best feature film nominees in the 2011 APSAs are “Jodaeiye Nader az Simin” (A Separation) from Iran, “Rang zidan fei” (Let the Bullets Fly) from China, “Be Omid e Didar” (Goodbye) from Iran, and “Band Baaja Baaraat” (Wedding Planners) from India.

Winners in the fifth annual APSAs will be determined by an international jury headed by leading Hong Kong film producer Nansun Shi. Films are judged on cinematic excellence and the way in which they attest to their cultural origins.