The 18th International Izmir Short Film Festival was held in Turkey’s Aegean city of Izmir between 7 and 12 November 2017. The festival announced its award winners on Saturday, November 11 at Historical Havagazi Cultural Center.
The winning films were selected from 4 categories from international and national finalists by the Festival's jury members. This year, the festival received a record-breaking number of submissions from over 42 countries, including fiction, documentary, animation and experimental short films.
WINNERS – INTERNATIONAL FICTION
The international jury this year included president András Muhi, Alev Fatos Parsa, Sali Saliji – Sallini and Murat Tolga Sen.
• Winner of the Golden Cat Award – Best Film
Animal. Director Bahram Ark, Bahman Ark (15min, Iran)
• Second Runner Up for The Golden Cat Award is:
Limbo. Director Konstantina Kotzamani (29min, France)
• Third Runner Up for The Golden Cat Award is:
8 Minutes. Director Giorgi Gogichaishvili, Davit Abramishvili (13min, Georgia)
WINNERS – NATIONAL FICTION
The international jury this year included president Handan Ipekci, Harika Uygur, Ali Dusenkalkar, Deniz Cakir, Aytekin Cakmakci, Aziz Imamoglu.
• Winner of the Golden Cat Award – Best Film
Toprak. Director Onur Yağız (11min)
• Second Runner Up for The Golden Cat Award is:
The Trap / Kapan. Director Korhan Günay (8min)
• Third Runner Up for The Golden Cat Award is:
Story of a Job Interview / Bir İş Görüşmesi. Director Alkım Özmen (15min)
• Winner of the Golden Cat Award for the Best Documentary
Away From Her / Uzaktaki Kadın. Director Özgür Demirci (14min)
• Winner of the Golden Cat Award for the Best Animation
The Valley / Vadi. Director Can Erkan, Salih Toprak (10min)
• Winner of the Golden Cat Award for the Best Experimental
Fifty Six / Elli Altı. Director Dilara Şahin (8min)
The festival also awarded the following;
• National fiction Best Editing
Toprak / Toprak, Director Onur Yağız (11min)
• National fiction Best Cinematography
Beyoglu Cinema / Beyoğlu Sineması, Director Ömer Ferhat Özmen (15min)
• National fiction New Comer
Orhan Öztokat for his role in Prettiest of All Possible Lives / Mümkün Hayatların En Güzeli, Director Derin Biricik (17min)
and
Miray Sahin for her role in Wire / Tel, Director Berkay Hasbay (15min)
• National fiction Migros Youth Award – Voted by university students
Learning How to Swim / Yüzme Öğreniyorum, Director Serpil Altın (12min)