Istanbul, Turkey — The vibrant city of Istanbul once again celebrated cinematic excellence at the 44th Istanbul Film Festival, curated by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV). The festival culminated in a grand awards ceremony at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, recognizing the best of both Turkish and international films.
This year’s edition was marked by a notable change as the national and international competitions were combined into a singular Golden Tulip Competition. This ambitious amalgamation featured 15 films vying for the prestigious Golden Tulip, with entries ranging from domestic cinematic pieces to global contributions.
The esteemed jury, led by Shekhar Kapur and comprising figures such as Ada Solomon, Ebru Ceylan, Saadet Işıl Aksoy, and Cameron Bailey, evaluated a diverse lineup. In total, the festival showcased 139 feature films and 15 short films, offering a window to emerging trends and celebrated works from around the globe.
“Lesson Learned,” a film directed by Balint Szimler, clinched the Golden Tulip for Best Film, signifying a standout presence in a pool of high-caliber entries. The Kariyo & Ababay Jury Special Prize was bestowed on “The Crowd” directed by Sahand Kabiri, while Gürcan Keltek received Best Director for his work on “New Down Fades.”
The awards also acknowledged individual talents with Sofia Berezovska garnering Best Actress for her role in “Under the Volcano.” Meanwhile, Nazmi Kırık’s portrayal in “The Flying Meatball Maker” earned him the Best Actor accolade. In the realm of scriptwriting, Pelin Esmer was praised for “And the Rest Will Follow,” winning Best Screenplay.
Shifting focus to the burgeoning short film scene, the festival spotlighted 12 noteworthy shorts from Turkey and international filmmakers. The Best Short Film award went to Jan Bujnowski for “Dancing in the Corner,” with “We Need to Talk About Dilan” directed by Umut Şilan Oğurlu earning an honorable mention.
Emerging talents were not overlooked as the festival’s dedicated section for first and second films by domestic directors showcased fresh narratives. “Ayşe” by Necmi Sancak won the Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Award, highlighting the festival’s commitment to nurturing new voices in cinema.
Additional independent awards brought further dimension to the event, with the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) awarding “Lesson Learned” in the Golden Tulip Competition. The Short Film Competition saw “Citizen-Inmate” by Hesam Eslami receiving the FIPRESCI Prize. Other notable mentions included the Best Documentary awarded to “Exam on the Edge of Time” by İlkay Nişancı from the Documentary Filmmakers Association (BSB).
As the Istanbul Film Festival wrapped up, it not only celebrated the currents of creativity flowing through contemporary cinema but also underscored the critical role of international film festivals in highlighting societal themes and artistic expression across different cultures.
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