Supported by Anadolu Efes, Meetings on the Bridge featured four documentaries and thirteen feature films, alongside six series and seven short film projects. Throughout the programme, the projects made their debut presentations. On 25 April, four feature films and two documentary films in post-production were screened at Soho House exclusively for film professionals.
The Series on the Bridge Workshop, sponsored by OGM Pictures, facilitated creative teams to engage with national and international professionals, streaming platform and TV channel representatives. Meanwhile, Film Development Workshop teams focused on script development, pitching, and production.
Following the conclusion of the training and workshops of the 19th edition of Meetings on the Bridge, the awards were presented to the award winning projects and teams.
Work in Progress Awards
The Work in Progress awards were presented by jury members Karim Aitouna (Haut Les Mains Production), Nazlı Elif Durlu (Scriptwriter and Director) and Thanos Stavropoulos (Thessaloniki International Film Festival).
ANADOLU EFES AWARD: 32 Meters
JURY’S DELIBERATION: For its well-executed cinematographic immersion in the daily lives of charismatic female characters who are determined to obtain the same rights to leisure as the men of their village, the Anadolu Efes award goes to 32 Meters by Morteza Atabaki.
DAIRE CREATIVE KEY ART DESIGN AWARD: The Best of Funeral Songs
JURY’S DELIBERATION: For its playful and original way of telling a painful yet intimate story of a dysfunctional family, the Daire Creative Award goes to the film
The Best of Funeral Songs by Ziya Demirel.
Film Development Awards
After the pitching sessions held between 24 and 26 April, the jury members of the Film Development Workshop, Artem Vasyliev (Studio Metrafilms Moldova), Dries Phlypo (A Private View), and Meryem Yavuz (Director of Photography), selected the award winners.
The jury was impressed by the enthusiasm, intelligence, courage, creativity, and authenticity of the projects.
MEETINGS ON THE BRIDGE AWARD: The Stranger
JURY’S DELIBERATION: For a very personal and brave approach.
MELODİKA SOUND AWARD: My Happy Family
JURY’S DELIBERATION: For the inventiveness, and telling of a very sensitive social story.
POSTGARDEN COLOUR GRADING POST-PRODUCTION AWARD: Smells Like Teen Spirit
JURY’S DELIBERATION: For an original story of an unusual protagonist.
MEDITERRANEAN FILM INSTITUTE (MFI) SCRIPT WORKSHOP AWARD: Headlock
JURY’S DELIBERATION: The MFI Script 2 Film Workshops scholarship award goes to Headlock for the clarity of intentions, characters and conflicts, the willingness to adapt and the promise of viability foreseen in the whole team.
Series on the Bridge Award
The jury members of the Series on the Bridge Workshop, sponsored by OGM Pictures; Ahu Türkpençe, İnci Gülen Oarr, and Nilgün Önes presented the awards to:
OGM PICTURES SPECIAL AWARD: Ladies
Short Film Workshop Award
The Short Film Workshop Award was presented by jury members Celine Roustan, Hakim Mao, and Onur Sefer.
PUBLIC FILM SPECIAL MENTION AWARD: Nonplace
JURY’S DELIBERATION: Thanks to our generous sponsor, we are able to support a second film with a special mention that comes with a cash prize of 20.000 liras.
We were touched by the ambition of this project to turn a country-wide and personal trauma into healing art. Thus, we would like to give the special mention to Nonplace by Ali Baran Baz.
PUBLIC FILM AWARD: Everything I Know About Horror
JURY’S DELIBERATION: We were impressed by the clever use of genre and cultural specificities woven in this project's concept, carried by the very strong and clear vision of its filmmakers. The award goes to Everything I Know About Horror by Sertaç Koyuncu.
