The 63rd Golden Orange Awards were presented at a spirited ceremony. “Taş ve Tüy,” directed by Ragıp Türk, won six awards, including Best Film, while “Artakalan,” directed by Yeşim Ustaoğlu, received four awards, including Best Director.
The 63rd International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, which opened with the motto “The light of cinema will ALWAYS shine at Golden Orange,” concluded with the eagerly awaited awards ceremony at the end of an exciting week.
Welcoming the guests at the ceremony held at the Glass Pyramid, Büşra Özdemir, Deputy Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, said: “This festival, beating at the heart of Antalya, will inspire future generations. Our aim is to carry the light of the past into the future. Always with cinema, always with art, always with hope; may the light of cinema never go out!”
National Jury President Derviş Zaim addressed film lovers at the awards ceremony with the following words:
“Cinema is not merely a means of entertainment; it is also a vast mirror reflecting social events and a powerful transformative force capable of mobilizing the masses. The principal remedies cinema can offer for the multidimensional crises facing humanity are empathy, raising awareness, and preserving collective memory. To overcome alienation, one of the greatest problems of people in this age, cinema tells us: you are not alone!”
“We watched films that seek justice in the face of social problems and experiment with different forms of storytelling. We are glad to encounter films that make the invisible visible, break down prejudices, and bring to the screen traumas society is afraid to confront, thereby creating a space for collective reckoning and healing.”
“We respect the uniqueness and value of every film we encounter, as well as the effort invested in it. Cinema does not solve problems directly with a magic wand; however, it raises awareness, shapes public opinion, develops empathy, and creates an intellectual and emotional ground to guide people. The first step toward solving a problem is to understand it and make it visible. We must build the forms cinema may take in the future without forgetting these qualities. My wish is that the flame of cinema, spreading hope and a light of warning from these lands to today’s world overwhelmed by problems, never goes out. Long live the magic lantern!”
Zaim also recommended that future festivals introduce awards in sound design, makeup, costume, digital effects, and casting to enrich the festival and encourage the development of Turkish cinema. “As a first step this year, we would like to commend two films that impressed us in sound design and makeup: ‘Artakalan’ for its sound design and ‘Hakikatin Ölümü’ for its makeup,” he said.
The winner of the awards night, hosted by Pınar Altuğ Atacan and Emre Kınay, was Yeşim Ustaoğlu’s “Artakalan,” which received five awards, including Best Director. The jury selected Ustaoğlu as Best Director “for the care and depth with which she handles the characters’ journeys and transformations, while maintaining an aesthetic distance.” Accepting her award from jury president Derviş Zaim, she said:
“I would like to thank each member of my team who embarked on this journey with me and shared my concerns. With this film, I had the opportunity to look once again at this country’s stones, soil, mountains, and waters. It hurt a little; I saw what was left for us. Perhaps it is about a better future, a better tomorrow, hope, and freedom—because this was a quest for freedom, for Elif and for me. I suppose I continue to believe in justice and conscience.”
Ragıp Türk’s “Taş ve Tüy” left the festival with six awards, including Best Film. The jury honored the film for “its success in reflecting the stranglehold of poverty in the city’s outskirts and the internal and external conflicts and tensions associated with gender identity.” Director Ragıp Türk received the award from jury president Derviş Zaim and Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Büşra Özdemir. In his acceptance speech, he shared how his filmmaking journey began with Yeşim Ustaoğlu, who was competing at the same festival:
“I came to Istanbul in 2003 to become a musician. But I took the university entrance exam, at least to benefit from being a student, and got into Istanbul University’s Cinema and Television Department. I had no intention of making films when I started school. A few years later, while wandering around unemployed, I happened to find a job on a film set. I began to understand what cinema really was and closely observed the director there; I became a great admirer. I knew then that I had decided to become a director. Dear Yeşim Ustaoğlu, thank you for inspiring me.”
“I was asked many questions about why I made a story about a woman. I thought a lot about how to answer. I actually found the answer while thinking, ‘Who should I thank?’ There have always been women around me: Duygu Aktoprak, my colleague and companion who never let go of my hand; my sister Pelin Türk, without whom I would not be here; and my producer İris Tahhuşoğlu. I dedicate this award to my mother, the woman who inspired the character Nazire.”
Beyond the main jury, the Sungu Çapan Film Writers’ Jury and the Film-Yön Jury also chose Ragıp Türk and “Taş ve Tüy.”
“Kadim Mavi,” directed by Emir Ziyalar, won the Dr. Avni Tolunay Special Jury Award, Best Music, and Best Editing. In his acceptance speech, Ziyalar said, “I dedicate this award to all directors who will make innovative attempts to break conventions.”
Öykü Karayel was named Best Actress for her performance in “Artakalan,” while Mehmet Günsür and Mert Fırat, who shared the lead roles in Hüseyin Karabey’s “Hakikatin Ölümü,” shared the Best Actor award. Karayel said she accepted the award, presented by jury member Fatih Artman, “for those unjustly imprisoned, for the freedom of us all.” Günsür and Fırat, who received the Best Actor award from jury member Meryem Uzerli, pointed toward a better future in their speeches. Günsür said, “Hüseyin put together such a wonderful team that I could make films with them for the rest of my life. Better days will come; we will continue making films about them.” Fırat added: “We acted face-to-face, knee-to-knee, in ten square meters. Here’s to days when truth has not died, when we stand firmly behind it with our hearts and live by our conscience!”
The National Jury, chaired by director Derviş Zaim and comprising Aylin Zoi Tinel, Elif Demoğlu, Fatih Artman, Meryem Uzerli, Sırma Bradley, and Gökhan Kırdar, honored child actor Duygu Köse for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Bir Anne Hakkında.” The film, directed by Büşra Bülbül, also won the Behlül Dal Best First Film Award. Bülbül dedicated the award, presented by Festival Art Director Deniz Yavuz, to “all working mothers.”
The Best Supporting Actor award was shared by İlhan Şen and Erol Babaoğlu, who appeared in Ferit Karahan’s “Cinlerin Düğünü.” Accepting the award from actor Hülya Duyar, Babaoğlu said: “I accept this award for difficult yet bright days when we do not give in to despair, hold each other’s hands, and remember those left in the dark in the hope of a bright future.”
Named Best Film, “Taş ve Tüy” also won Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Music, and the Cahide Sonku Award.
Best Editing winner Naim Kanat said, “I was proud to receive the award from a great master such as Aylin Zoi Tinel, who has also contributed greatly to my work.”
Jury member and musician Gökhan Kırdar presented the Best Music award to Can Kuman, who composed the music for “Kadim Mavi,” a film he described as “innovative, alternative, and revolutionary.” Accepting the award, Kuman said: “We all struggled while making this film, but when I think about what is happening in our country and the world, what we experienced seems easy. It is a gift; I am very happy that we can make art. I was going to quit music, but this award has motivated me.”
“Artakalan,” which earned Yeşim Ustaoğlu the Best Director award, also received Best Actress, Best Cinematography, and Best Art Direction.
Arda Sarıgül, director of “Mükellef,” winner of Best Documentary, accepted the award saying: “I want to receive this award on behalf of the working class, which I believe is not sufficiently represented in our cinema. I also accept it on behalf of all mine workers who have lost their lives or continue to lose them in mining accidents.” Çağatay Yurt, director of “Kül ve Tuz,” winner of the Special Jury Award, said: “We are the custodians of this award, because its rightful recipients are in Gaza today: Mahmut, Muahmmed Yakub, Sâfi, and nine-year-old Melek, who lost her father in the war and her grandfather while we were making this film, her brother Ali, and four other siblings like him. This award belongs to them.”
The first recipient of the Short Film Directors Association Award, introduced in the short film category this year, was director Sis Gürdal for “Porkatal.” Accepting the award, Gürdal said, “Tonight, it became the Golden Porkatal for us,” and added: “When I began writing this screenplay, I wanted to give a voice to the hundreds of children currently living in prison with their mothers in Türkiye. This award is for them.”
The Short Film Jury named Soner Alan’s “Kısa Akıl” Best Short Film. Alan said in his acceptance speech:
“This is my first fiction film. While making it, I felt as though every detail and secret of the human soul was being exposed vulnerably, with all arrows and praise aimed at it. For this very reason, I wholeheartedly congratulate all my fellow filmmakers in the National Short Film Competition who have shown their audacity and courage.”
“Anaokulu,” directed by Melis Balcı, won the Special Jury Award. Balcı said, “Thank you very much for giving this award to an animated film.”
The International Jury, chaired by Andreas Sinanos and comprising Nejat İşler, Yasmin El Massrî, Maryna Er Gorbach, and Fadik Sevin Atasoy, selected George Ovashvili’s “Babalarımdan Biri Ay’dır” (“The Moon is a Father of Mine”) as Best Film.
After receiving the award from International Jury President Andreas Sinanos and exclaiming “I can’t believe it!” three times, Ovashvili continued:
“I am truly happy to be here with so many crazy people who are in love with cinema. Honestly, I really don’t know what to say, but Deniz, I love you! Your support was incredible. Receiving an award here is also a little embarrassing, because this place already feels like my home. I repeat: it is hard to believe this award, but thank you all.”
The International Jury awarded Best Director to Lorenzo Ferro and Lucas Vignale for “The River Train,” while “All the Lovers in the Night” (Yukiko Sode) received the Special Jury Mention. Jury member and actor Yasmin El Massrî took the stage to present the award and said:
“I am grateful to be here as a Palestinian woman, and it is an honor to be here as a Palestinian actress. At a time when my people are still struggling to make their voices heard around the world, thank you for giving me the opportunity to make my voice heard. Being among you as part of a family, a creative community, means the world to me.”
NATIONAL FEATURE FILM COMPETITION
Best Film: Taş ve Tüy (Ragıp Türk)
Best Director: Yeşim Ustaoğlu (Artakalan)
Dr. Avni Tolunay Special Jury Award: Kadim Mavi (Emir Ziyalar)
Best Screenplay: Ragıp Türk (Taş ve Tüy)
Best Actress: Öykü Karayel (Artakalan)
Best Actor: Mehmet Günsür & Mert Fırat (Hakikatin Ölümü)
Best Supporting Actress: Duygu Köse (Bir Anne Hakkında)
Best Supporting Actor: İlhan Şen & Erol Babaoğlu (Cinlerin Düğünü)
Best Cinematography: Kiril Prodonov (Artakalan)
Best Editing: Naim Kanat (Taş ve Tüy) & Emir Ziyalar - Jerome Pesnel (Kadim Mavi)
Best Music: Can Kuman (Kadim Mavi)
Best Art Direction: Osman Özcan - Görkem Canpolat (Artakalan)
Cahide Sonku Award: Melda Tuzluca (Taş ve Tüy)
Behlül Dal Best First Film: Bir Anne Hakkında (Büşra Bülbül)
Film-Yön Best Director: Ragıp Türk (Taş ve Tüy)
Sungu Çapan Film Writers’ Best Film: Taş ve Tüy (Ragıp Türk)
Best Documentary Film: Mükellef (Arda Sarıgül)
Documentary Special Jury Award: Kül ve Tuz (Çağatay Yurt)
Best Short Film: Kısa Akıl (Soner Alan)
Short Film Special Jury Award: Anaokulu (Melis Balcı)
Short Film Directors Association Best Director: Sis Gürdal (Porkatal)
Film Schools Student Films Best Film: Dostlar Sağolsun (Orhan Kerem Kartal)
Film Schools Student Films Special Jury Award: Dünya Günü Kutlu Olsun (Selin Toprak)
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM COMPETITION
Best Film: Babalarımdan Biri Ay’dır (George Ovashvili) / The Moon is a Father of Mine
Best Director: Lorenzo Ferro & Lucas Vignale (The River Train)
Best Actress: Magdalena Laubisch (Six Weeks On)
Best Actor: Mahendra Perera & Shyam Fernando & Randika Gunathilaka & Priyantha Sirikumara (Riverstone)
Special Jury Award: Minotaur (Andrey Zvyagintsev)
Special Jury Mention: All the Lovers in the Night (Yukiko Sode)
Sungu Çapan Film Writers’ Best Film: Black Rabbit White Rabbit (Shahram Mokri)
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