3rd Izmir International Film and Music Festival
Hosted by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality with support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's Directorate General of Cinema and in cooperation with the Intercultural Art Association, the festival took place from June 16 to 22.
It began with an opening ceremony held at Elhamra Stage. At the ceremony, where the festival program was introduced and the Lifetime Achievement Awards and plaques to festival sponsors were presented, the "Taşra Üçlemesi Jazz Project" premiered worldwide — a jazz composition based on 11 scenes selected from Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s films “Kasaba,” “Mayıs Sıkıntısı,” and “Uzak.”
Under the direction of Vecdi Sayar, the festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to veteran journalist, writer, and translator Sevin Okyay, alongside Prof. Dr. Oğuz Makal — founder of the Izmir International Film Festival and the Izmir International Fair Cinema Here Film Festival. The Honorary Award of the festival was given to the Oscar-winning master of Hungarian cinema, István Szabó.
Veteran artist Zuhal Olcay performed at the Izmir International Film and Music Festival. The concert, held at Ahmed Adnan Saygun Arts Center, started with Olcay’s song “Yine Aşk Var.” One of the surprise moments was when Vedat Sakman joined Zuhal Olcay on stage to sing. Zuhal Olcay delivered an unforgettable performance with a broad repertoire spanning past to present.
The Crystal Flamingo Awards were presented during a ceremony at Istinye Park Teras Renk Cinema. Hosted by Korhan Abay, the evening also featured the presentation of the festival’s Honorary Awards. The award excitement was accompanied by a mini concert where Vedat Sakman performed, and Zuhal Olcay sang “Yalnızlığım” and “Ayrılık da Sevdaya Dahil.” The ceremony, which began with a speech by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Tunç Soyer, was attended by festival guests, jury members, and cinema lovers of Izmir. Other Honorary Awards were also presented during the evening. Awards were given by Tunç Soyer, Zuhal Olcay, Erkan Oğur, and Grégoire Hetzel. Iranian director Bahman Ghobadi, honored with the Intercultural Art Achievement Award this year, was unable to attend but sent a video message: “I am very sorry I cannot be with you. I came from Europe to Turkey to attend the festival. I planned to fly from Ankara to Izmir, but due to threats from supporters of the Islamic regime in Iran, I cannot make this trip. I thank the festival for this award and dedicate it to the courageous women fighting against the Iranian regime. I hope to meet in beautiful Izmir.”
National Competition Awards
The National Competition jury, chaired by actress and musician Zuhal Olcay and including film writer Mehmet Açar, composer and academic Mehmet Can Özer, actor Murat Kılıç, musician Vedat Sakman, director Vuslat Saraçoğlu, and producer Zeynep Ünal, decided to award the following works:
Best Film Award: Ayşe Polat "Blind Spot"
Jury Special Award: Özcan Alper "Dark Night"
Best Original Music Award: Cansun Küçüktürk "Dark Night"
Best Sound Design Award: Eli Haligua, Fatih Rağbet "Mirror Mirror"
Best Original Film Song Award: Athena "Kendi Yolumda" - song "Bu Da Geçer"
Best Actor Award: Nurcan Eren "Suna", Berkay Ateş "Dark Night"
Film Directors Association (FİLM-YÖN) Award: Ayşe Polat "Blind Spot"
Cinema Writers Association (SİYAD) Best Film Award: Ayşe Polat "Blind Spot"
Izmir City Council Award: Ömer Faruk Sorak "Kendi Yolumda"
International Competition Awards
The International Competition jury, consisting of Alexandra Enberg, Krisztina Goda, Pelin Batu, Serdar Kökçeoğlu, and Minko Lambov, decided to award the following works:
Best Film Award: Saim Sadiq "Joyland"
Jury Special Award: Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar "Divertimento"
Best Original Music Award: Nicolás Guerschberg "Let the Dance Begin"
Television Series Music Awards
The Series Music Awards Competition jury, chaired by Ali Can Sekmeç and including Burak Göral, Cumhur Canbazoğlu, Elçin Yahşi, Nezih Ünen, Özlem Özdemir, Sina Koloğlu, Serdar Kalafatoğlu, and Tuğçe Madayanti Dizici, awarded winners in four categories:
Best Original Opening Music for National Channel Series: "Ömer" by Alp Yenier
Best Original Opening Music for Platform Series: "Şahmaran" by Hakan Özer
Best Original Song for National Channel Series: "Duy Beni" by Serkan Ölçer, Ece Ölçer, Mert Carim
Best Original Song for Platform Series: "Erşan Kuneri" by Bir Bakman, Özkan Uğur
