WINNERS OF DIASPORA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED
Diaspora International Short Film Festival has been concluded with the closing and award ceremony held at Atlas Cinema. During the ceremony where Karsu Dönmez, one of the most talented artists of the Turkish diaspora, took stage, the winner of the Best Film Award in the Films in Turkish Competition has been Yasemin Demirci with her film “Climate Change” and the winner of the Best Film Award at the Films in Foreign Language Competition has been the film “I Don’t Feel At Home Anywhere Anymore” directed by been Viv Li.
By the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB); in official partnership with the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), with the support of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism General Directorate of Cinema and Transportation Sponsor Turkish Airlines (THY) and Global Communication Partner Anadolu Agency, and organized by the Bosphorus Culture and Art Foundation on August 27-29, Diaspora International Short Film Festival’s closing and award ceremony was held on August 29, and the award winners were announced. Presented by Simge Fıstıkoğlu, the closing and award ceremony also hosted one of the most talented artists of Turkish diaspora, Karsu Dönmez, who gets loudly applauded at the concerts she gives in numerous corners of the world, and she has livened up the evening with her music blended with jazz, blues and Turkish music.
“The Notion of Diaspora Will be Heard More Often in the Upcoming Years”
Serdar Çam, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism; Erkin Yılmaz, the Director of T.R. Ministry of Culture and Tourism General Directorate of Cinema, İlker Aycı, the chairman of the executive board of Turkish Airlines, sponsor institutions, film crews, press members and numerous guests have attended in the award ceremony realized in accordance with the pandemic precautions.
The opening speech was realized by Abdullah Eren, the president of the Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB). Specifying that there is a significant diaspora community abroad whose stories, worries, joys, and lives are not represented, Eren drew attention to the fact that there is a diaspora population of 300 million living all around the world. Stating that diasporas not only consist of specific communities, but also include others living in many different places of the world, Eren said “We, as Turkey, have a diaspora population of 6.5 million.” Noting that Turkish people living in diasporas for long years have their own happiness, troubles, sorrow and joy, Eren emphasized that other generations living in Europe today have a great potential. “We organized Diaspora International Short Film Festival in order to add a louder voice to the diasporas,” said Eren and indicated that the fact and notion of diaspora will be heard more often in the upcoming years. Specifying that different diasporas have common problems and that they have established a common platform with the festival where such problems can be discussed, Eren emphasized their goal is to enhance that unity and solidarity among people. Noting that they have organized a short film festival to provide the opportunity to give the meaning in a concentrated manner, Eren said he himself has spent three days in super excitement.
“Turkish Diaspora Brings Wealth with Itself”
Following the opening speech, Serdar Çam, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism appeared before the guests. Stating that a successful and dynamic festival has been organized despite having the first year of the festival, Çam presented his gratitude to everyone who dedicated their efforts to the organization of this precious festival in a time when art is much needed. Emphasizing that 3123 submissions were made to the festival, Çam said “In this period we are experiencing, each and every product will have a separate value and significance and these works created on various occasions will have a wide influence in the following period,” and also delivered the kindest regards sent by Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the Minister of Culture and Tourism. Emphasizing that the Turkish diasporas abroad have a power of bringing wealth together with themselves, Çam underlined the importance of representing this cultural and historical power. Stating that it is very important that in Turkey many different people are melted in a single pot, Çam underlined that establishing communication channels among these communities will also be developed with the cultural projects being realized.
Best Film Award Went to Yasemin Demirci’s Film “Climate Change”
The bests of the Films in Turkish Competition Category and Films in Foreign Language Competition Category in the first edition of the festival were determined by the main jury members Director Anthony Nti, Asel Sherniyazova; Director of the Asia World Film Festival, Fehruz Shamiyev; Director of Baku International Short Film Festival, Ines Tanović; Director and also Director of Sarajevo Film Center, Director Nariman Aliev, and Writer and Producer Samed Karagöz.
As evaluated by the jury, the Best Film Award of Films in Turkish Competition Category worth 5000€ has been given to Climate Change directed by Yasemin Demirci. İlker Aycı, the chairman of the executive board of Turkish Airlines has announced the winner.
Starting his speech specifying that the notion of diaspora is associated with a rule and also sadness, Aycı additionally specified that diaspora also means art and story. Noting the support Turkish Airlines has provided to the festival, Aycı thanked the festival team for their invitation.
The winner of the TRT Special Award of the festival’s Films in Turkish Competition Category worth 2500€ has been the film The Game directed by Roman Hodel. Cemil Yavuz, the Content Coordinator for TRT 1, has announced the winner. Specifying in the speech he gave before presenting the award that there is a universal problem of finding content, Yavuz mentioned that this short film festival will not only be the voice of the diaspora, but it will also contribute significantly to the Turkish and world cinema, and he presented his gratitude to those who have dedicated their efforts for the festival.
The winner of the Second Best Film Award worth 1500€ has been Sami Morhayim with his film Susam which has been presented by Serdar Çam, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism.
At the ceremony, the Best Film Award in the Films in Foreign Language Competition Category worth 5000€ has gone to I Don’t Feel At Home Anywhere Anymore directed by Viv Li. And the announcer has been Abdullah Eren; the President of Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) as well as of Diaspora International Short Film Festival.
The Special Jury Prize in the Films in Foreign Language Competition Category worth 2500€ has been given to Ward’s Henna Party directed by Morad Mustafa. And the announcer of the winner has been Ines Tanović; Director and also Director of Sarajevo Film Center.
The Second Best Film Award of the category worth 1500€ has been determined as Sandra Desmazieres’ film Flowing Home. And the announcer has been Serdar Çam, the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism.
And the Audience Award Went to “Wedding Photo”
As determined by the votes of the cinephiles who watched the films either in cinema or via festivalscope.com, the winner of the Audience Award worth 500€ has been Cemalettin Baş; the director of the film Wedding Photo. Erkin Yılmaz; the Director of T.R Ministry of Culture and Tourism General Directorate of Cinema presented the award to the winner.
Stating that Turkey has many successful festivals both at a national and international scale, Yılmaz has presented his gratitude to Mehmet Nuri Ersoy; the Minister of Culture and Tourism, to Serdar Çam; the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism; Emrah Kılıç, the Director of Diaspora International Short Film Festival, Ogün Şanlıer, the President of Bosphorus Culture and Arts Foundation and to everyone else who has dedicated their efforts. Yılmaz also has presented his special thanks to TRT for its contributions to the cinema and to Turkish Airlines, who never have left them alone. After presenting his gratitude to the participant screenwriters, directors, producers and filmmakers for their contributions to cinema, he announced the winner.
And Karsu Dönmez, the guest artist of the award ceremony also made a short speech before her performance. Presenting her gratitude for being invited to the award ceremony, Karsu Dönmez said that she herself composes for films, which is a very intricate process for the musicians. “I compose and play my music freely,” said Karsu Dönmez, and noted that conveying the feeling of a scene to the audience through music is a very enthusiastic process. Emphasizing that she feels a great respect for cinema, successful artist stated that she has prepared a special music for the evening and wished the guests to have an enjoyable ceremony.
WINNERS OF THE DIASPORA INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
Films in Turkish Competition Category
Best Film Award (5000€): Climate Change – Yasemin Demirci
TRT Special Award (2500€): The Game – Roman Hodel
Second Best Film Award (1500€): Susam – Sami Morhayim
Films in Foreign Language Category
Best Film Award (5000€): I Don’t Feel At Home Anywhere Anymore – Viv Li
Special Jury Prize (2500€): Ward’s Henna Party – Morad Mustafa
Second Best Film Award (1500€): Flowing Home — Sandra Desmazieres
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Audience Award (500€): Wedding Photo – Cemalettin Baş