The Antalya International Golden Orange Film Festival, one of Turkey’s longest-running film events, is set to take place from October 24 to 31, 2026. This year’s Young Achievement Awards, presented as part of the festival, will go to young actor Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu, who has appeared in major projects in theater, television, and film, and 16-year-old actress Leyla Smyrna Cabas, who has drawn attention with her impressive performances despite being at the very beginning of her career.
Born in Istanbul on March 1, 1994, to parents who were both English teachers, actor and photographer Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu—who was honored with the Young Achievement Award at the 63rd International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival—began his acting career after graduating from the Ankara State Conservatory at Hacettepe University. Üzümoğlu, 32, has studied physical theater and modern dance in India and Poland. In addition to his acting career, Üzümoğlu serves as the Set Unit Coordinator on the board of the Actors’ Union. He is actively involved in initiatives related to set working conditions, organizing, communication, and international relations, and participates in projects and panel discussions aimed at advancing the rights of industry workers.
Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu won the “Most Successful Young Artist of the Year” award at the 21st Afife Theater Awards in 2017 for his performance in the play Troas. In 2022, he was honored with the “Best Actor” award at the 59th International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival for his performance in the film LCV (Please Respond). In 2026, he won the “Best Actor” award at the 26th International Frankfurt Turkish Film Festival for his role in the film Sahibinden Rahmet. In 2019, Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu was nominated for “Most Successful Supporting Actor of the Year (Theater)” at the 24th Sadri Alışık Theater and Cinema Actor Awards for his performance in Kalp. At the 62nd International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu presented the award to veteran actress Serap Aksoy, who was honored with the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
In his film career, Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu portrayed the character Mert in the 2022 film LCV (Please Reply) and Ali in the 2023 film Dark Night. In 2024, he took on the role of Ali Yaman in the film Season of Love, in which he played the lead, and also appeared in the film As the New Dawn Fades that same year. In 2025, the actor portrayed the character İrfan in the film Sahibinden Rahmet, and will soon portray Kâzım Koyuncu in the upcoming film Kazım.
Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu began his television career with the series Adı Efsane. The actor, who later starred in the series Aşka Düşman, also appeared in the series Şakir Paşa Ailesi: Mucizeler ve Skandallar. Üzümoğlu, who has appeared on digital platforms in the series Hakan: The Guardian, the documentary series Rise of Empires: Ottoman, and the film Kin, will soon meet viewers in the upcoming production Sonra Gözler Görür. On stage, Üzümoğlu has starred in the plays Troas, Salto, Kalp, Evlat, Hamlet, Sırça, Baklava Cumhuriyeti, Öteki and The Dogs, distinguishing himself with his successful performances on the theater stage.
Born in Istanbul in 2010 and fluent in Turkish, English, and German, young actress Leyla Smyrna Cabas—who was honored with the Young Achievement Award at the 63rd International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival—began her film career with the movie Fidan, written, directed, and starring Ayçıl Yeltan, which premiered at the 61st International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, in which she also starred.
For this film, Cabas was awarded a Special Prize at the Cinema D’iDEA Women’s Film Festival in Rome, alongside director Ayçıl Yeltan and her co-star Ayça Bingöl. She then portrayed the character Ezgi in the film “Yellow Letters” (Sarı Zarflar), directed by İlker Çatak and shot in Hamburg and Berlin.
Cabas, who made her international debut with her performance in the film that had its world premiere at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival and won the Golden Bear Award, has joined the ranks of young actors who have made a name for themselves with their first feature films. Cabas, who has also studied piano, guitar, and violin, is currently attending high school in Istanbul.
The “Young Achievement Award,” which was presented to Cansu Baydar last year, will be presented at the festival’s opening ceremony on Saturday, October 24, 2026.