The Ayvalık International Film Festival Has Begun; the Yeni Bir “Rising Star…” Prize Was Presented This Year in the Fiction Category
The Ayvalık International Film Festival, organized by the Eye Society in collaboration with the Ayvalık Municipality, kicked off last night with an opening ceremony held at the Büyük Park Amphitheater. During the opening ceremony—hosted by Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi, who served coffee, and attended by over a thousand spectators—the winner of the Yeni Bir “Rising Star…” Prize, presented with the support of Mey|Diageo, was announced. The selection committee, consisting of Belmin Söylemez, Ali Aga, Anna Maria Aslanoğlu, Asu Maro, and Nezaket Erden, awarded this year’s Yeni Bir “Rising Star…” Prize for Editing. Lisa Aksel Ayhan, who was honored with the award for her film The Great Siege, received her award at the opening ceremony from Mey|Diageo Culture and Arts Advisor Banu Zeytinoğlu.
Lisa Aksel Ayhan is a pseudonym used by Sinan Kesova, who also directed and co-wrote the film. Thus, Sinan Kesovawon the Yeni Bir “Rising Star…” Prize for Editing for his debut film. The opening night concluded with a screening of Megalopolis, directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Speaking at a cocktail reception hosted by the Ayvalık Municipality prior to the opening ceremony of the Ayvalık International Film Festival—which will conclude on the evening of September 22—Ayvalık District Governor Hasan Yaman said, “Ayvalık is well on its way to becoming a city of culture, art, and sports. I would also like to thank the Eye Society, which organized this event, and the Ayvalık Municipality. We, too, will be watching these beautiful, delightful, and delightful films together with you,” he said. Ayvalık Mayor Mesut Ergin said, “We see that our Ayvalık International Film Festival, now in its third year, has taken its place among Turkey’s major festivals as a cultural and artistic feast. We are truly happy about the contribution we’ve made to our country’s film culture, academic research, and festival calendar through such an important and international festival, and we’re more hopeful than ever for the future,” he said.
Festival director Azize Tan said in her speech at the opening ceremony, “We’re very excited; we see this place getting a little more crowded every year. This makes us very happy. Over the next week, Ayvalık’s streets will be filled with film lovers, and we’re thrilled at the prospect of seeing everyone rushing from one screening to the next and sitting in cafes between screenings to discuss films with one another,” she said, extending her thanks to all supporters and attendees individually.
The Yeni Bir “Rising Star…” Prize for Editing Was Presented to Sinan Kesova
The Yeni Bir “Rising Star…” Prize, presented with the support of Mey|Diageo—which has stood out for its sustainable support of culture and the arts since the very first year of the Ayvalık International Film Festival—was awarded this year in the editing category. The award, worth 75,000 TL, is given to an emerging talent who has drawn attention for their achievements in any area of cinema—whether in front of or behind the camera—during the festival year. This year’s recipient is Sinan Kesova, who served as editor for the film The Great Siege, which he also co-wrote and directed.
Belmin Söylemez, Ali Aga, Anna Maria Aslanoğlu, Asu Maro, and Nezaket Erden—the jury members—unanimously selected the winner, and Ali Aga announced the award on behalf of the jury.
Sinan Kesova, who received his award from Mey|Diageo Culture and Arts Advisor Banu Zeytinoğlu, said, “Lisa Aksel Ayhan is, of course, a fictional name, a character. Since we make independent films, we often have to handle many tasks ourselves. Seeing the same name appear several times in the credits can sometimes leave a bad impression. For this film, I decided to use a pseudonym, at least in the editing credits. I’d like to take this opportunity to honor Ayhan Ergürsel. He was someone who left a profound legacy and had a tremendous influence on both me and the friends I’ve made films with. “Thank you very much,” he said.
Banu Zeytinoğlu said in her speech following the award presentation, “We actually Mey|Diageo want to celebrate together with everyone within the fabric of life, and we truly love being by your side by providing broad, widespread, and sustainable support for the arts within that context. In a way, we strive to do this not just as a matter of social responsibility, but as a company that is also accountable to art and culture. That’s why I thank you for being part of this narrative,” she said.
Büyük Kuşatma, written and directed by Sinan Kesova, will screen on Thursday, September 19 at 9:00 p.m. at Vural Cinema, with Kesova in attendance, along with screenwriter Arda Ekşigil, actors Alp Öyken and Asiye Dinçsoy, and producers Alara Hamamcıoğlu and Ilgım Coşar.
This year, festival screenings will take place at Ayvalık Municipality Vural Cinema Nejat Uygur Stage, Fabrika Ayvalık, İsmet İnönü Cultural Center, ASKEV Sera, and Kırlangıç Ayvalık. Ticket prices are 150 TL for full price and 100 TL for discounted tickets. Screenings at ASKEV Sera and Kırlangıç Ayvalık will be free of charge.
Ayvalık International Film Festival; Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality, Ayvalık Municipality, Space for Culture, Mey|Diageo, Paribu, Kürşat Olive Oils, Komili, Bilginer-Melin Ayvalık Art, Culture, and Education Foundation, Consulate of the Netherlands, Zeze/Ayvalık, OGM Pictures, Gold Film, Ayvalık Macaron Colony, Karga7, Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi, Asteros Film, Kendine Has, MUBI, Borusan Otomotiv, Manzara Holiday Homes, Ayvalıkzade, L’Arancia Cunda, Kadıköy Cinema, Macaron Muhallebicisi, Ayvalık Chamber of Commerce, Nona Cunda, Zoi Cunda, Çöp(m)adam, Kratos, Ayvalık International Music Academy, British Council, Festival Friends Tibet Akhuy, Esra Başak, Ela Başak Atakan, Şerif Kaynar, Eren Tapan, and İnci Vural.