International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival

WINNER OF THE GOLDEN ORANGE “TAVŞAN İMPARATORLUĞU”

Bringing together the film industry and audiences with great excitement, the winner of the 62nd International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival; “Tavşan İmparatorluğu”

The 62nd International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, organised by Antalya Metropolitan Municipality with the motto “from the heart,” bid farewell to filmmakers, audiences, and all participants after a week full of film, imagination, and hope. The Golden Orange Awards announced their winners at the ceremony held at the Glass Pyramid, hosted by Nefise Karatay and Alpdoğan Esenoğlu.

The film that made its mark on the night was Seyfettin Tokmak's “Tavşan İmparatorluğu.” “Tavşan İmparatorluğu” took home a total of seven Golden Oranges from the night, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Director of Photography, Best Art Direction, Best Supporting Actor, and the Sungu Çapan Cinema Writers Jury award.

The award ceremony began with sad news: the passing of veteran Turkish actor Engin Çağlar in an accident yesterday. Karatay, who shared the news, offered condolences to the artist and expressed his wishes for patience to his loved ones and the artistic community. First, a letter from Muhittin Böcek was read. “Even though I cannot be with you today, know that my heart is in every scene, every applause, every tear,” Böcek's message continued: "The Golden Orange is not just a festival. It is the conscience of this city. It is the warmest heart where justice, hope, labour, and creativity come together. And no wall, no distance can stop this heart from beating. Your applause reaches here. Thank goodness you are here, thank goodness the Golden Orange exists."

Later, the Festival President and Deputy Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, Büşra Özdemir, took the stage and began her speech by saying, “Tonight, we are not only celebrating the finale of a festival, but also a celebration of hope, hard work, and dreams.” “Today, we will all leave this hall with great pride. Because at the Golden Orange, we witnessed not only films but also hard work, faith, and heartfelt solidarity,” said Özdemir, continuing, "I would like to thank everyone whose hard work is evident in every frame of our festival. And a special thank you to our president, Muhittin, who has nurtured art, culture, production, and solidarity in this city, who has brought the Golden Orange back to its essence, and who has reunited it with the people! Every journey that comes from the heart has a beautiful ending; everything done from the heart is special. Without a doubt, Antalya will remain the brightest stage of cinema. In free and lovely days, with the hope of meeting again, long live art, long live cinema, long live the Golden Orange!

Greeting cinema lovers at the gala, National Jury President director-producer Ömer Vargı shared his memories of his first visit to the Golden Orange half a century ago: "I was 20 years old, working as the sole assistant on my mentor Şerif Gören's first film, Endişe. With that film, my mentor won the awards for best film and best director. I couldn't attend the festival, but I said, ‘I also have a share in this film.’ I remember my mentor with respect and affection. We are filmmakers; if we do our job well, we are successful. But some professions have no right to make mistakes. For example, a judge must keep the sense of justice within them."

Golden Orange, “Tavşan İmparatorluğu”

62. At the Antalya Golden Orange International Film Festival, the National Feature Film Jury, chaired by Ömer Vargı and consisting of Aydın Sarıoğlu, Beren Saat, Engin Alkan, Mircan Kaya, Sevin Okyay, and Zeynep Koloğlu, awarded Seyfettin Tokmak's “Tavşan İmparatorluğu” with five awards, including Best Film.

Director Seyfettin Tokmak, who received the Best Film award from Festival President Büşra Özdemir and National Jury President Ömer Vargı, said, "Our film's screening journey began in Tallinn, then it was shown in many countries and received with great affection. But I was filled with dread about how it would be received here! I will never forget this night; there could be no greater award." He thanked the jury and the festival.

Seyfettin Tokmak received the Best Director award from film critic Sevin Okyay and said, "I spent about two or three years in Ümraniye Prison, where I volunteered as a film teacher for children. The children were deeply depressed, and half of them seemed to be on medication. That feeling led me to make this film. The child character’s stubborn immersion into the world of animals, resisting the darkness and the violence of the male world, was very valuable. I have seen children struggling throughout my life. Yaşar Kemal’s book Children Are Human Beings is very important; I accept this award on behalf of Yaşar Kemal.”

The decision of the Sungu Çapan National Jury of Film Critics, consisting of Assoc. Prof. Dr Gül Yaşartürk, Prof. Müjgan Yıldırım, and Prof. Bojidar Manov were also in favour of The Rabbit Empire.

The Best Screenplay Award, announced by Mehmet Aslantuğ, went to Emre Sert and Gözde Yetişkin for their film “Sahibinden Rahmet”. Sert accepted the award, stating, “We share this with all our filmmaker friends who showed the courage to make films despite all the pressures during these difficult times.”

İrsel Çivit, who won the Best Music Award for Parçalı Yıllar, received his award from Mircan Kaya. Çivit said, "I never imagined this would happen. I have received awards in 16-17 countries, but this is the first time I have been recognised in my own country; this is very precious. I have never felt such joy as when the voice in my head is heard while I am working. For this, I thank my wife, my daughter, and my mother. We cannot save the world through art, but we can inspire the people who will do all of this, so it is very valuable."

The winner of the Best Editing Award, announced by National Jury member Aydın Sarıoğlu, was Şöhret Tandoğdu and Deniz Çizmeci for their work on the film “Noir.” The award was accepted by the film's producer, Özlem Öçalmaz. Öçalmaz said, “Too many mothers in this country lose their children, and the perpetrators are still on the streets. I hope that the courageous steps taken by Ahmet Minguizzi's mother will be a light for all of us, and I dedicate this award to her.”

The winner of the Best Cinematography award was also Claudia Becerril Bulos for “Tavşan İmparatorluğu” Director Seyfettin Tokmak, who took the stage on behalf of Bulos, accepted the award with the following words: “I must mention Claudia: Imagine an Elazığ man pursuing a Mexican cinematographer. My wife was his biggest motivation! Claudia was born to be a cinematographer!”

Yetkin Dikinciler was named Best Actor for his performance in the film Parçalı Yıllar. Receiving his award from Beren Saat, the veteran actor said in his acceptance speech: "I'm going to talk about something a little sacred. The work we do may not be sacred, but I don't think the job's name determines its value; what matters is how and why it's done. For example, I told my wife and daughter: I'm going to the play, I'm going on tour, I'm giving up your homework, I'm giving up hugging you and sleeping with you. There are simpler but more valuable things in life. What could be more valuable in this life than the right to live with dignity, humanity, and freedom? And to those who give up and sacrifice for this, I offer my thanks and greetings!"

The Best Actress Award went to Leyla Tanlar for her role in the film “Erken Kış.” Receiving her award from Engin Alkan, Tanlar said, “Just as in life, the role assigned to women in stories is always the leftover one. I want to thank my director and his mother for writing such a role and entrusting it to me, while trying to exist without drowning in all this reality.”

Master actress Yıldız Kültür, who received the Best Supporting Actress award from actor Engin Alkan for her role in the film Kanto, shared her feelings, saying, “My heart is pounding; I never expected this. I ran here so that no one would take it from me. I accept this award in the name of love, peace, and freedom.”The Best Supporting Actor Award also went to Sermet Yeşil for his role in the film “Tavşan İmparatorluğu” The award was accepted on Yeşil's behalf by the film's director, Seyfettin Tokmak, who said, “I told him to come to the award ceremony. He didn't come because he had a TV series to film. Working with him was the most beautiful thing in the world; he is so professional... He is an actor who pushed a truck in the snow, and he worked very well with the whole team.”

The Behlül Dal First Film Award was presented by Gülşah Deniz Atalar, Deputy Chair of the Republican People's Party (CHP) responsible for culture and tourism, to the directors of the film “Sahibinden Rahmet”, Emre Sert and Gözde Yetişkin.

With the film “Tavşan İmparatorluğu,” Seyfettin Tokmak, who is also the recipient of the Film-Yön Award, along with Serdar Akar, Nazif Tunç, and Seçkin Yasar, expressed his feelings: "It's like a miracle! Will I die? Is this my last day? Receiving this award from such esteemed directors... There is nothing more beautiful than seeing one's hard work rewarded; endless thanks."

Actor Mahmut Cevher presented the Dr Avni Tolunay Jury Special Award to the producers of the film “Aldığımız Nefes”, Şeyhmus Altun and Fevziye Hazal Yazan. Yazan accepted the award, saying, “It has been shown in other countries, but this is our first festival in Turkey. It is very important to be understood in our own country.”

Mircan Kaya and Zeynep Koloğlu, who presented the Cahide Sonku Award in support of women's work in cinema, announced that they had awarded it to three artists. Accordingly, the Cahide Sonku Award was shared by Bilge Şen for “Parçalı Yıllar” and Ezgi Yaren Karademir and Nanaz Bahram for “Bağlar, Kökler ve Tutkular”. Veteran artist Bilge Şen's acceptance speech was one of the evening's most memorable moments.

“I was 19 when the Antalya Film Festival began. I had come here with short films until now, but today I came here with a feature film for the first time,” said Şen, who began by thanking the “Parçalı Yıllar” team individually by name. Describing her role in the film, which depicts the era of erotic films in Turkish cinema, Şen made the guests smile by saying, “They stripped me in this film! Does an 80-year-old woman get stripped? I didn't strip when I was 20. Especially Yetkin (Dikinciler) groped me all over!” She continued:

"This is my 65th year; I'm still working. Sometimes I'm a guest actor, sometimes I play in a few episodes. The big names get millions, we get 5,000 or 10,000. Damn my nature; I can't resist a microphone. Besides, I'm a State Artist, a graduate of the State Conservatory. I'm a graduate of the Berlin Ensemble. I'm a graduate of the Actors Studio. I wouldn't trade the theatre for anything!

What am I doing now? The state pays me so little that I live below the poverty line, so at 81, I give private lessons. I'm still working. Because I work, I feel like I'm 30."

Şen concluded her remarks by saying, “I accept this award in the name of freedom, for the sake of our friends inside remaining free, and for my beloved country to achieve freedom and be governed by democracy.”

The results of the International Feature Film Competition, in which 10 films competed this year, were announced by a jury consisting of producer Charles J.D. Schlissel, publisher and producer Elif Dağdeviren, actor Mehmet Kurtuluş, director Najwa Najjar, writer-screenwriter-director Rebecca Lenkiewicz, and director-writer-producer George Ovashvili. In the international category, the winner of the Best Film award was “A Poet,” directed by Tereza Nvotova, while Nvotova was selected as Best Director for “Father.” Çiğdem Topaloğlu accepted the award on behalf of Nvotova.

“For courageously reflecting the struggle of artists in impossible times through his bravery, intelligence, and creative audacity, and for conveying the power of art and human resilience,” the International Jury's Special Award went to the film “Divine Comedy”, directed by Ali Asgari. Asgari said while accepting his award, "I would like to thank the festival for inviting us here and allowing us to show our film to the incredible Turkish audience. First and foremost, I thank the jury for honouring us with this award, recognising our love for cinema and our commitment to showcasing people who resist the system. I wasn't expecting the award, so I didn't prepare a speech. I want to thank my team, my producer, and especially my Turkish producer."

The International Jury selected Ubeimar Rios as Best Actor for his role in the film “A Poet.” Çiğdem Topaloğlu accepted the award on Rios’s behalf. The Best Actress award went to Lea Drucker for her role in the movie “Adam’s Sake.” Esra Kengel accepted the award on the actress’s behalf.

The choice of the Sungu Çapan International Jury of Film Critics, consisting of Vecdi Sayar, Özge Çeliktemel, and Ingrid Beerbaum, was also Ali Asgari's “Divine Comedy”.

The National Short Film Jury, consisting of Ezgi Esma Kürklü Pervaz, İlkay Nişancı, and Vuslat Saraçoğlu, selected Sandra Peso's “Bimba” from among the 10 films that made it to the finals out of 200 submissions, awarding it the Jury Special Prize; Deniz Koloş's “Ölüm Bizi Ayırana Dek” with the Best Short Film award. Accepting his award, Koloş said, “It was a story I wanted to tear out of my heart. Thank you very much for listening to me.” Koloş, who said the film was produced through solidarity from start to finish, added, “Greetings to all friends who have not forgotten the meaning of solidarity!”

Out of 74 submissions, the National Documentary Film Jury, consisting of director, producer, and editor Amir Etminan, director-producer Sevinç Yeşiltaş, and director-producer Şafak Bakkalbaşıoğlu, evaluated the 10 documentaries that made it to the final round following the preliminary jury assessment. They awarded the Jury Special Award to Rıza Oylum's “Yerli Yurtsuz”, and the Best Documentary award to Tayfun Belet's “Roman Gibi”. Oylum said, “I accept this award on behalf of everyone who feels homeless.” In contrast, Belet said, "I dedicate this to Zekeriya and Sabiha Sertel, who fought for democracy and lost their lives in exile. I want to thank Nur Deriş, who helped me discover them—without her, this film would not exist. And I accept this award on behalf of our baby, who will be born soon."

The awards for the Night Cinema Schools Student Film Competition were presented to the winners by a jury consisting of Leyla Özalp, Osman Özcan, and Sezen Kayhan. In this year's competition, which evaluated 10 films selected from 34 projects submitted by 75 different film schools across Turkey, Gain Media Communications Director Firuze Abdulazizoğlu presented the Gain Media Communications Director Special Jury Award for Student Films to Eylül Babur from Istanbul Medipol University for “Kusursuz Ölçü Nedir?”, and presented the Gain Jury Special Award for Student Films to Eylül Babur from Istanbul Medipol University. In contrast, the Best Film award went to Abdurrahim Karabulut from Istanbul University for “Tümseğin Uğultusu”.

This year's Festival Medal of Honour was presented to Öykü Karayel. Last year, the Honorary Medal, which was brought to life at the suggestion of director Ferzan Özpetek, who chaired the National Jury, and was first awarded to actress Saadet Işıl Aksoy, was presented to actress Öykü Karayel by National Jury President Ömer Vargı during the evening. Karayel said, “Preserving the traditional and independent integrity of festivals is very important. In a world ruled by fear and oppression, art will once again save us and heal us. So let's not imprison creative thought. With this in mind, I will present the Honorary Award I have received with the same pride next year.”

62nd International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival Awards

- Best Film: Tavşan İmparatorluğu (Direcor: Seyfettin Tokmak) - Dr. Avni Tolunay Jury Special Award: Aldığımız Nefes (Producers: Şeyhmus Altun& Fevziye Hazal Yazan) - Behlül Dal Best First Film Award: Sahibinden Rahmet (Directors: Emre Sert& Gözde Yetişkin) - Best Director: Seyfettin Tokmak (Tavşan İmparatorluğu ) - Cahide Sonku Award: Bilge Şen (Parçalı Yıllar), Ezgi Yaren Karademir (Bağlar, Kökler ve Tutkular), Nanaz Bahram (Bağlar, Kökler ve Tutkular) - Best Screenplay: Sahibinden Rahmet (Directors: Emre Sert& Gözde Yetişkin) - Best Cinematographer: Claudia Becerril Bulos (Tavşan İmparatorluğu ) - Best Music: İrsel Çivit (Parçalı Yıllar) - Best Editing: Şöhret Tandoğdu& Deniz Çizmeci (Noir) - Best Art Director: Tora Aghabayova (Tavşan İmparatorluğu ) - Best Actress: Leyla Tanlar (Erken Kış) - Best Actor: Yetkin Dikinciler (Parçalı Yıllar) - Best Supporting Actress: Yıldız Kültür (Kanto) - Best Supporting Actor: Sermet Yeşil (Tavşan İmparatorluğu) - Film- Yön - Best Director Award: Seyfettin Tokmak (Tavşan İmparatorluğu) - Sungu Çapan Film Critics Award: Tavşan İmparatorluğu (Seyfettin Tokmak) - International Competition Jury Special Award: İlahi Komedya/ Komedi İlahi (Director: Ali Asgari) - International Competition Best Actress: Lea Drucker (Adam’s Sake) - International Competition Best Actor: Ubeimar Rios (A Poet) - International Competition Best Director: Tereza Nvotva (Father) - International Competition Best Film: A Poet (Simon Mesa Soto) - Sungu Çapan Film Critics Award: İlahi Komedi/ Komedi İlahi (Director: Ali Asgari) - Best Short Film: Ölüm Bizi Ayırana Dek (Director: Deniz Koloş) - Short Film Jury Special Award: Bimba (Director: Sandra Peso) - Best Documentary:Roman Gibi (Director: Tayfun Belet) - Documentary Jury Special Award: Yerli Yurtsuz (Director: Rıza Oylum) - Best Student Film: Tümseğin Uğultusu (Director: Abdurrahim Karabulut / İstanbul Üniversitesi) - Student Film Jury Special Award: Kusursuz Ölçü Nedir? (Director: Eylül Babur/ Medipol Üniversitesi)