This time, director Selim Evci is at the center of harassment allegations: His festival has been canceled

Designer Yaprak Civan, sharing on her social media account, announced that director Selim Evci had physically harassed her in 2018. Civan stated, "I was in shock, I couldn't react. At that time, I couldn't even tell my boyfriend about this incident; I only shared it with two close friends."

Following the allegation that designer Yaprak Civan was physically harassed by director Selim Evci while working as an assistant in his office, the digital streaming platform MUBI was the first to announce that it had removed films belonging to director Evci from its platform. Subsequently, Akbank Sanat also announced that it had terminated its relationship with Evci, who is the manager of the company from which they receive services for the Akbank Short Film Festival, and that the festival had been canceled.

MUBI REMOVED HIS FILMS

Following Civan's allegations, the digital streaming platform MUBI announced that it had removed films belonging to director Selim Evci from its platform.

The statement made from MUBI's official account included the following:

"As MUBI Turkey, we are carefully following the posts made on social media in recent days. In line with these posts, we announce that we have removed Selim Evci's film 'İki Çizgi' (Two Lines) from our platform and have removed 'Savrulan Zaman' (Drifting Time), which we planned to show in September, from the program. We hear the voices of women and support the film production process becoming a safe and egalitarian space for everyone."

STATEMENT FROM AKBANK SANAT

Following the allegations, Akbank Sanat also published a statement on its Instagram account, announcing that it had terminated its relationship with Selim Evci, the manager of the company from which they receive services for the Akbank Short Film Festival, and that it had been decided to cancel the 22nd edition of the festival.

Akbank Sanat made the following statement:

"Due to the posts made on social media regarding Selim Evci, the manager of the company from which we receive services for the Akbank Short Film Festival, it has been decided to terminate our relationship and cancel the 22nd edition of the festival.

Even though the posts in question are still in the nature of allegations, this decision has been implemented in accordance with our institutional values and principles.

Our institution will continue to maintain its support in the field of culture and arts within the framework of the value it places on the concept of trust and its corporate principles.

We respectfully present this to the public's information."

News Source: 12punto