The 43rd Istanbul Film Festival, organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) and sponsored by N Kolay, was concluded with an award ceremony held on 28 April at Atlas 1948. A total of 51 films competed in the international and national competitions of the festival.
At the award ceremony, the winners of the International and National Competitions, the National Short Film and National Documentary Competitions, the Young Master Award, Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Prize were revealed. The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) also presented three awards at the ceremony.
The Golden Tulip Best Film award, which is dedicated to the memory of Şakir Eczacıbaşı, was presented to Forever-Forever, a film by Nazavzhdy-Nazavzhdy and Anna Buryachkova. The Special Jury Prize was awarded to Sweet Dreams, directed by Ena Sendijarević. The Nespresso Youth Jury presented the Young Master Award to Hoard / Luna Carmoon, a film from the United Kingdom.
“This debut film, in which the themes of abuse, trauma and grief are treated from a common but unique and personal point of view, disturbed us at times and moved us at times with its consistent and striking vision. The stylistic preferences adopted to describe the shocking world established in the film had an energy and dynamism that reflected the director’s youth. For all these reasons and more, we, the members of the Nespresso Young Jury, decided to give the Young Master Award to this film,” said the jury.
In the short film category, the Best Short Film award was given to “Eksi Bir” by Ömer Ferhat Özmen. The film was recognized for its skillful management of the viewpoint and handling of each character within the world it has constructed, as well as for conveying the delusions in the panorama of Turkey to the audience in a strong and simple language.
The jury awarded the Special Mention prize to the film “Between Delicate and Violent” by Şirin Bahar Demirel. They praised the film for its powerful and unique visual style, which is based on a personal story. The jury also highlighted the film’s layered structure, which blends the past and present imaginatively. Finally, they commended the film’s compelling story.
The Seyfi Teoman First Debut Prize was awarded to Sinan Kesova for his film, “The Grand Siege.” The jury praised the film for its bold visual choices and original story, which was told with a clever dose of irony and humor throughout. They also expressed their eagerness to see Kesova’s second film.
Inpaintings by Ozan Yoleri received Special Mention award. In the Best Documentary category, the film “Hold Still” directed by Berke Baş was awarded, and the Special Mention award was given to “Tomato, Pepper, Depression” by Aybüke Avcı. The film creatively portrayed a disease that affects us all, using a universal language and excellent humor.
Fipresci Prizes
International Competition Fipresci Prizes went to Forever-Forever by Nazavzhdy-Nazavzhdy and Anna Buryachkova. The movie portrays adolescent dynamics in the 1990s within a climate of social and political unrest. It speaks innovatively about young sexuality, violence, abuse, and the definition of female roles in an Eastern European patriarchal society facing wild capitalism. The director succeeded creating a swiftly paced narrative and obtaining intense and deep performances from a young cast.
In the National Competition category, the prize was awarded to Selman Nacar’s film, Hesitation Wound. The jury commended the film for its dynamic and complex portrayal of a courtroom drama. The exceptional female character and the bleak legal system falling apart every minute drew us in. The film boasts of a tight script, confident directing and editing, and a brilliant performance. These are the top characteristics that make this film exceptional.
“Children of the White Mountain” by Yalçın Çiftçi was awarded in the National Short Film Competition. According to the jury, the film portrays a sincere and heartwarming story about childhood and community. The audio-visual narrative, coupled with its tenderness and simplicity, leaves a lasting impression on the audience.”
National Competition categories
Yurt/Dormitory by Nehir Tuna won the Golden Tulip Best Film award, while Not What You Think by Vuslat Saraçoğlu received the Kariyo & Ababay Foundation Special Jury Prize in memory of Onat Kutlar.
Selman Nacar, the director of Hesitation Wound, received the Best Director Award at the event. The Best Screenplay award went to Vuslat Saraçoğlu for her film, Not What You Think. Alican Yücesoy and Serdar Orçin from Not What You Think were awarded the Best Actor Award. Tülin Özden won the Best Actress award for her role in Hesitation Wound.
