The Festival
At the screening of Antakya Koç Container City, actor Uğur Duralı and actor Osman Koyun from the crew of the movie Bir Başka Aşk distributed lemonade to children.
On the second day of the festival, a representative from the Japanese Embassy distributed gifts to earthquake-stricken children in the Koç Container City after a film screening, as part of the 100th Anniversary Celebrations of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Turkey.
Honorary guest artists of the festival, Erkan Can and Güven Kıraç, visited Sümerler Secondary School with the aim of meeting students and spending time with them. During the visit, the artists held a sincere and engaging conversation with the students about art and life, sharing their professional experiences and personal insights.
The meeting, which attracted great interest, highlighted the transformative and healing power of art. Erkan Can and Güven Kıraç introduced the children to the fascinating world of cinema and theatre, answering their questions with warmth and sincerity. The artists inspired the students by encouraging them to follow their dreams and believe in the power of creativity.
An interactive cinema event was held at the Artegusto Stage, bringing together cinema enthusiasts. As part of the event, a carefully curated short film selection was screened, followed by an in-depth discussion and Q&A session on the films.
The event was hosted by Özden Toprak and Azra Nayır, members of the Festival Advisory Board. During the discussions, the films’ narrative styles, thematic structures, and cinematic approaches were examined, while audience participation added an interactive dimension to the event.
Among the participants were MKU academics and Festival Advisory Board members Dr. Emrah Cevher, Dr. Erke Kesova, and Dr. Muhammet Dilek. The gathering, which brought cinema and academia together, was met with strong interest and appreciation from attendees.
The award ceremony of the 13th International Antakya Film Festival was held on the evening of 27 November at the Hatay Chamber of Certified Public Accountants Conference Hall, with strong attendance.
Strong Participation from the Art and Cinema Community
The award night brought together district protocol members, art lovers, and many invited guests, along with well-known figures from the world of cinema. Prominent attendees included Erkan Can, Güven Kıraç, Mehmet Hanifi Özşimşek, Serdar Akar, Ercan Mehmet Erdem, Rıza Oylum, Sevinç Yeşiltaş, İffet Eren Danışman Boz, Baran Gündüzalp, Zümrüt Erkin, Barış Gönen, as well as many actors, directors, and cinema professionals.
The evening, which attracted great interest, made a significant contribution to Antakya’s cultural and artistic life and brought together different generations of the cinema community under one roof.
The Altındefne Awards of the 13th International Antakya Film Festival have found their winners. The award ceremony, held with great enthusiasm and the participation of many figures from the cinema world, was hosted by actress Bahar Hacıbektaşoğlu.
In the Feature Film category, the most awarded production of the night was “Apollon by Day, Athena by Night”, directed by Emine Yıldırım. The film left its mark on the ceremony by winning Best Film, as well as the awards for Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Original Music.
This year’s Altındefne Awards once again honored outstanding cinematic works and reinforced Antakya’s position as a significant meeting point for national and international cinema.
