Turkish actress, directors receive awards in Milan

ISTANBUL

Award-wining ‘Across the Sea’ film directors Nisan Dağ (L), Esra Saydam (2nd L), MIFF Festival Dırector Andrea Galante (2nd R) and award-wining actress Damla Sönmez pose for the cameras after the award ceremony.

Turkish actress Damla Sönmez, who won the Best Actress Award at the Milan International Film Festival for her role in the film “Deniz Seviyesi” (Across the Sea), received her award at a ceremony held in Milan on Sept. 9. 

The festival was organized earlier this year in the Italian city between May 7 and 17. 

The directors of “Across the Sea,” Nisan Dağ and Esra Saydam, won the festival’s Best Director Award and they were also present at the ceremony to receive the award. 

“It is always an honor to win an award but an international award is very exciting. This is the uniting power of cinema. Today, being united is what we need in Turkey too. That is why this award is more meaningful,” said Best Actress winner Sönmez as she accepted her award. 

The festival’s awards are small statues of Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse, and were previously given to stars including Charlize Theron, Renee Zellweger, Kristen Stewart, Anna Walton and Maggie Gyllenhaal.