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)