The 32nd International Adana Altın Koza Film Festival brought together masters of cinema and a new generation of filmmakers on the same stage. At the festival’s closing ceremony, Pelin Esmer’s film Is That Something Too? (O da Bir Şey mi) became the night’s most talked-about production, winning eight awards. One of Turkey’s most established film festivals, the International Adana Altın Koza Film Festival was held for the 32nd time this year. Its finale took place last night at Çukurova University Congress Center with an awards ceremony hosted by Oylum Talu and Yekta Kopan. The evening once again showcased the productivity, diversity, and dynamism of young Turkish filmmakers.
Is That Something Too? — The Night’s Big Winner
The most talked-about film of the ceremony was Is That Something Too?, directed by Pelin Esmer. The film not only won Best Film but also earned Esmer the Best Director award. In addition, it received the Cüneyt Cebenoyan Best Film Award from the Turkish Film Critics Association (SİYAD), the Erden Kıral Best Director Award from the Film Directors’ Association (Film-Yön), and the Audience Award determined by the votes of Adana’s residents. With cinematography by Barbu Balasoiu, art direction by Elif Taşçıoğlu, and a promising young actress award for Merve Asya Özgür, the film claimed a total of eight awards, making its mark on the festival’s history.
Jury Decisions and Notable Films at Altın Koza
This year, the National Feature Film Competition jury was chaired by screenwriter and director Ümit Ünal. The jury included actor Belçim Bilgin, actor/writer Berkay Ateş, cinematographer and producer Deniz Eyüboğlu, musician Ekin Fil, screenwriter Gani Müjde, and journalist Janet Barış, who evaluated works shaping the recent landscape of Turkish cinema.
The Yılmaz Güney Award went to Orhan Eskiköy’s Home (Ev), which also received the Ayhan Ergülsel Best Editing Award thanks to the work of editor Erhan Örs. The Kadir Beycioğlu Special Jury Award was given to Emine Yıldırım’s Apollo by Day, Athena by Night (Gündüz Apollon Gece Athena), a film merging mythology with contemporary life.
In acting categories, some striking decisions were made. The Best Actress Award was shared between two performers for their work in different films: Bige Önal for I Am Here, I Am Fine (Buradayım, İyiyim) and Tülin Özen for The Curtain (Perde).
Accepting her award for I Am Here, I Am Fine, Bige Önal said:
“This system sanctifies women only when they give birth but forgets them while they live. I accept this award for all women who have lost their lives in this system and those who refuse to be silenced. We are here, we will not stay silent, and we are well.”
The Best Actor Award went to Nazmi Kırık for his role in The Flying Köfteci (Uçan Köfteci). In the supporting roles, Aslı Işık (The Flying Köfteci), Duygu Karaca (The Curtain), and Bedir Bedir (The Curtain) won awards. The Best Screenplay Award was given to Özkan Çelik and Cem Zeynel Kılıç for The Curtain, while Barış Diri received the Best Music Award for Apollo by Day, Athena by Night.
Documentaries and Short Films at Altın Koza
The festival also created space for young filmmakers through its documentary and short film sections, not just the feature competitions. In the Documentary Film Competition, As It Used to Be (Eskisi Gibi) directed by Sibel Karakurt was selected Best Documentary. 30 Years with Kardeş Türküler (Kardeş Türküler ile 30 Yıl) by Ayşe Çetinbaş and Çayan Demirel won the Special Jury Award, while Bulut Renas Kaçan’s The Cycle (Döngü) received an Honorable Mention.
The winner of the International Short Film Competition was Happiness by Fırat Yücel, with the Special Jury Award going to Qaher by Nada Khalifa. In the National Short Film Competition, Alis (Dir. Beril Tan) was awarded Best Film, while Retreat (İnziva, Dir. Saim Güveloğlu) received the Special Jury Award.
The National Student Films Competition once again showcased the creativity of new-generation directors. Awards went to Tuğba Yaşar’s documentary The Color of the Desert (Rengê Kevîr), Tuğçe Sönmez’s animation Family Dinner (Aile Yemeği), the fiction film Nepenthe by Meltem Naz Salduz and Uğur Yıldırım, and Atahan Yaman’s experimental work Mars. Additionally, Emre Cef Kamhi’s film Actually Everyone (Aslında Herkes) received post-production support provided by Taff Pictures and Fono Film.
A Bridge Between Literature and Cinema
Altın Koza also dedicated a special section this year to literary adaptations. The Severed Head (Kesik Baş), adapted from Hüseyin Rahmi Gürpınar’s novel of the same name, earned Pınar Arıkan the Best Screenplay Award. Orhan Eskiköy also received a Special Jury Award for Selvi (sometimes translated as Cypress), adapted from his own short story.
