Awards presented at the 61st Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival: 'It is time to act, not to talk'

A week-long cinema marathon that began on October 5 with the traditional Festival Procession and an opening ceremony in which the Honour and Achievement Awards were presented came to a close with the announcement of the Golden Orange Awards. The ceremony, held at the Glass Pyramid and hosted by Şebnem Dönmez, was attended by jury members, numerous figures from the arts world, the crews of competition films, and thousands of cinema enthusiasts. The film "Ayşe" left its mark on the Awards Ceremony night, winning prizes in four separate categories — the FİLMYÖN Special Award, Best Actress, Behlül Dal Best First Film, and Best Director — while also being screened throughout the festival.

Nadim Güç, the director of Mukadderat, which won the best film award, said: "I am very grateful to Erdi Işık for bringing this story to me. I would like to thank the entire crew for their efforts. This was my first film, and it holds special meaning for me. We will keep creating."

"WE WILL PAY COPYRIGHT FEES TO ALL FILM RIGHTS HOLDERS"

Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek, invited to the stage before the awards were announced, stated that they will continue their efforts to make Antalya a city of cinema. Noting that an important decision was reached at the Cinema Workshop held as part of the festival, Böcek said: "As a result of our negotiations with the Cinema Works Owners Federation, we will pay the copyright fees of all film rights holders whose works are screened at our festival. May this be auspicious for our cinema workers." Mayor Muhittin Böcek also announced that the 62nd International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival will be held between 7–16 November 2025.

In the Documentary Film category, the National Documentary Film Competition Jury Special Award went to Ali Kemal Pasiner for the film "Bedri Rahmi Eyüpoğlu Toprağın Sırrına Erenler," while the Best Documentary Film award was given to Fatma Karakuş Kaçmaz for the film "Kadranı Olmayan Saat."

Best International Film was awarded to Ana Guevara and Leticia Jorge for "Don't Ever Leave Me," while Best Actor went to Franklin Aro Huasco for his performance in Dog Thief, Best Actress to Victoria Carmen Sonne for the film Şişli Girl, and Best Director to Vinko Tomii Salinas for Dog Thief. The Jury Special Award went to Nader Saeivar's film Witness.

The FİLMYÖN Special Award went to Necmi Sancak's film Ayşe, while the Cahide Songu Award was presented to Yağmur Ergül, costume designer of the film Gülizar, on behalf of costume designers.

The National Feature Film Competition Best Screenplay Award went to director and screenwriter Ümit Ünal's film Evcilik; the National Feature Film Competition Best Music Award went to Serkan Polat, Özgür Alper, and Pınar Bayrak from the film Balina'nın Bilgisi; the National Feature Film Competition Best Editing Award went to Melike Kasaplar, editor of the film Fidan; the National Feature Film Competition Best Art Director Award went to Meral Aktan, director of the film Gülizar; the National Feature Film Competition Best Supporting Actress Award went to Ayça Bingöl from the film Fidan; and the National Feature Film Competition Best Supporting Actor Award went to Osman Sonant from the film Mukadderat.

This year's National Feature Film Competition Best Actress Award was given to two actresses. Nur Sürer from the film Mukadderat and Binnur Kaya from the film Ayşe both received the best actress award.

NUR SÜRER DEDICATED HER AWARD TO YILMAZ GÜNEY

Nur Sürer, who received the best actress award, thanked the film crew and made the following remarks: "I am deeply grateful to the people of Cide, who welcomed us with great warmth under all circumstances. I thank all the directors who touched me throughout my 45-year acting career. I am accepting this award in honor of Yılmaz Güney — the most precious master of us filmmakers — who is so often sought to be diminished in value and who lost his life in Paris 40 years ago."

Binnur Kaya, who shared the best actress award, said: "Sharing such an award with an artist we admire like Nur Sürer is especially honoring. I would like to accept this award on behalf of all women who dedicated their lives to their loved ones and lost their lives in plain sight. Women raised their voices, stood united, cried out, asked for help, and they were heard. They were also seen. Women did what they had to do — now is not the time for talk, but for action. We urgently expect those who need to do what must be done to do it."

The Best Actor Award in the National Feature Film Competition went to Nejat İşler for the film Evcilik, while the Best Cinematography Award went to Murat Has for the film Balina'nın Bilgisi.

The Behlül Dal Best First Film Award went to Necmi Sancak's film Ayşe, while the Avni Tolunay Special Jury Award went to Belkıs Bayrak's film Gülizar.

In the National Feature Film Competition category, Best Director went to Necmi Sancak for Ayşe, and Best Film went to Mukadderat, directed by Nadim Güç.