― 4 мая 2024 г.

Awards of the International Turan Film Festival handed over to their winners

The International Turan Film Festival Award Ceremony was held at Ege University Atatürk Cultural Centre (AKM) Yunus Emre Hall. One thousand 57 applications from 77 countries besides Turkey, 158 films from Turkey, 47 films from Azerbaijan, 31 films from Kyrgyzstan, 21 films from Kazakhstan, 15 films from Uzbekistan and 10 films from Turkmenistan competed in the festival held under the motto  'Kızılelma', meaning “Red Apple”. 
Organised with the contributions of the International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), Aegean University, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the General Directorate of Cinema, the "International Turan Film Festival Award Ceremony" brought together all stakeholders of  the  cinema industry of the Turkic World. The ceremony was attended by the Rector of the  Aegean University Prof. Dr. Necdet Budak, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev, the Director of Presidential State Archives Prof. Dr. Uğur Ünal, the Director General of  Cinema of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye Birol Güven, staff members of the  senior management of the Aegean University, artists, directors, screenwriters, scholars, guests and students from Türkiye and abroad. 
 

The ceremony was highlighted by photography and painting exhibitions
Before the award ceremony, the exhibition "Silent Witnesses Journey to the Turkic Tribes" of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey State Archives and TURKSOY's "Turkic World Painting Exhibition" and "Cultural Capitals of the Turkic World Photography Exhibition" were presented to art lovers in the Foyer Area of Atatürk Cultural Centre. 

Speaking at the opening of the programme, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev,
"Cinema is one of the most important tools in carrying our common cultural heritage to future generations"
Sultan Raev said: "This event not only reflected the diversity of Turkish cinema, but also gave us the opportunity to show our unity and brotherhood to the whole world once again. I would like to thank our institutions that contributed to the realisation of the festival and congratulate all our competing artists" and thanked those who contributed to the organisation of the event.

The Rector of the Aegean University Prof. Dr. Necdet Budak who delivered  the opening speech of the event said: "I hope that our festival will become traditional"

Stating that they are pleased to host such a festival, Prof. Dr. Budak said, "The International Turan Film Festival has been hosted by our University for two days after a long preparation phase.  Within the scope of the festival, an international film competition, 3 interviews, 2 photography exhibitions, 1 painting exhibition, 1 concert and 1 dance show were held.

One thousand 55 applications were made to the festival from 77 countries. 158 films from Türkiye, 47 films from Azerbaijan, 31 films from Kyrgyzstan, 21 films from Kazakhstan, 15 films from Uzbekistan and 10 films from Turkmenistan participated in the festival. After all the applications were analysed by selection committees consisting of jury members who are experts in their fields, the winners were determined. In addition to the awards to be given to the winning films at today's award ceremony, special awards will be given in 13 different categories such as “Lifetime Achievement Award”, “Contribution to Cinema Art Award”, and “Contribution to Human Values” Award. I would like to express my gratitude to the General Directorate of Cinema of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, TURKSOY, the Presidency of the State Archives of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, which has opened its precious exhibitions to us, as well as valuable institutions of both, our country and  the Turkic World that support our festival. I hope that our festival will expand in the Turkic World in the coming years and become traditional."

"We reveal the richness of the Turkic world with archives"
Prof. Dr. Uğur Ünal, President of the State Archives of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, said: "I would like to express that this event is a very important programme for the unification of culture. This festival is extremely meaningful for the sharing and development of Turkish culture and art. 
Birol Güven, General Director of Cinema of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said: "Cinema is the work of a troubled person. People who make cinema want to share their troubles and show their wounds. He also wants to commiserate after shooting his film. In this respect, festivals are also places where filmmakers talk. Especially international festivals are very important for us. Turan Film Festival made a great start in its first year. I congratulate everyone who contributed," he said. 
 

Awards were handed over to their owners

Within the scope of Turan Film Festival, prestige awards were handed over to their winners  first. While the Award of Contribution to Human Values  was handed over to the Director Derviş Zaim and the producer of the TV series “Gönül Dağı” Ferhat Eşsiz, the Award of “Contribution to Cultural Diversity” was handed over to Mr.  Mevlüt Şahbaz, the Regional Director  of TRT Izmir on behalf of the TRT AVAZ channel, and the “Award of Contribution to Human Rights”  was handed over to Nesimi Nerimanov, Minister Counsellor of the Karabakh-Azerbaijan Ministry of Migration and Refugees. The  “Social Sensitivity Award” went to Birol Güven,  the General Director of Cinema of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye.

The Contribution to the Art of Cinema Award was received by Talant Osmanov on behalf of Azerbaijan Cinema Agency, Kazakfilm, General Directorate of Cinema of the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policies of the Kyrgyz Republic, Gofurjon Musaev, Coordinator of the International Relations Department of the Cinematography Agency of the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan, Birol Güven, General Director of Cinema of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Salisalih Bayramov on behalf of Oğuzhan Türkmen Film Studio. While the Special Award of Gratitude 2024 of the Aegean University  was received by Fecir Alptekin, Chief Advisor to the President of the Republic and Coordinator Ahmet Canbaz on behalf of TRT Documentary Channel Coordinatorship, the  Young Talent Award was won by Ruslan Ibrahimli, and the Technology and Cinema Relationship Award was won by Hamit Keleş with the film 1453. The Media Special Award was given to Ahmet Caner Baysal, Izmir Regional Director on behalf of Anadolu Agency and the Cultural Memory Award was given to Dr. Yasin Yıldız, Head of the National Palaces Department of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye. The  Cultural Heritage Award was won by Prof. Dr. Uğur Ünal, the President of the State Archives of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, and the  Special Award of TURKSOY went to Director Alovov.
 

As for the films competing in the festival; the First Prize for Azerbaijan was awarded to the film "Voice" by Zamin Mammadov, the First Prize for Kazakhstan was awarded to the  film "Lullaby" by Dilshat Rakhmatullin, the First Prize for Kyrgyzstan was awarded to the film "Hope" by Saule Mukanbetova, the First Prize for Uzbekistan was awarded to the film "Taste of Grapes" by Dmitriy Lebedev, the First Prize for Türkiye was awarded to the film "Tradition" by Ali Rıza Bayazıt, the First Prize for Turkmenistan was awarded to  the film "Ümit" by Iskender Muhammet Annamuhammedov and the First Prize in the International Category went to Elika Mehranpoor  for the film "Goli's Greatest Adventure/Iran".
 

The ceremony which also featured  the  promotional film of the festival  ended with a group photograph of award winners,  jury members and  participants taken as a remembrance of the day.