The introductory meeting of the festival, organized with the support of the General Directorate of Cinema of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and under the main sponsorship of Türk Telekom Tivibu, was held at the Rami Library.
Festival President Aşkın Özcan told the AA correspondent that the festival was followed with interest by young filmmakers and said, "From the beginning, we claimed that we were another festival. This year, we planned a full festival week of events and screenings to underline our claim of being another festival." he said.
Expressing that they took a different approach this year, based on their motto of returning to the basics, Özcan said, "At the end of the fairy tales, three apples fall from the sky, one for the one who tells, one for the one who listens, and the other for the one who tells what he understands and learned. As Kısa'dan Share, we are after exactly these three apples. We have been bringing stories and films to the audience for years. We want everyone to get their share. We think that we serve an important purpose in this respect." he said.
"We want to benefit from the power of cinema to keep Palestine on the agenda."
Underlining that they have prepared a full event program, Özcan continued as follows:
"We bring together masters and young people in our special events such as 'One Plan Masa', which we think makes us different. We commemorate Lütfi Ömer Akad, we want his perspective on Turkish cinema to inspire young people, and for this reason we are holding a film reading, and we will bring the Migration Trilogy movie to the audience. This year, we also published a cinema book called 'Letter to My Director'."
Regarding the Palestine special selection they prepared, Özcan said, "Palestine is our bleeding wound. We always want to keep Palestine on the agenda and benefit from the power of cinema. Because that's what we can do. We prepared a Palestine special selection, thinking that this is our part for now. We also care about accessible screenings. We are organizing a special screening for the visually and hearing impaired. We have master classes, workshops and many events." he said.
Stating that they are trying to find solutions to the problems of the sector and to do work that will allow young people to benefit from the experiences of the masters, Özcan said, "That's why we liberate our events. We are waiting for cinephiles and movie lovers. We hope that they will get their share and share in this festival. We wish everyone a good time." shared his opinion.
"The best short films of the year come to us and are shown"
Festival Artistic Director Abdulhamit Güler pointed out that it is not easy to maintain an art organization in Türkiye for more than 10 years and said, "When it comes to short films, it becomes even more difficult when you try to stand independently and unconnected. But thankfully, leaving 10 years behind means taking this experience behind us and continuing. We are trying to continue the steps we have taken in the light of this experience and that we are pleased with." he said.
Güler said that activities such as commemorating a filmmaker every year, a single-plan table event and publishing books written by young people are what distinguish Kısa'dan Öte from other festivals.
Stating that they are a national festival where only films shot in Türkiye compete, Güler said:
"Therefore, the best short films of the year come to us and are shown. It is a festival that should not be missed by those who want to watch films. Apart from that, our events are full. There are so many things we want to do, we cannot find a place. We have events such as master classes, interviews, panels and workshops that should be in every festival. All of these are events that will enable a filmmaker or a cinephile to improve his manners and culture, as well as open the mind and improve the perspective of someone who wants to produce. We recommend that these should not be missed."
"Art is the real glue for societies to survive in the human process."
Festival Event Coordinator Ali Demirtaş shared the events and program of the festival with the participants.
Reis Çelik, the jury president of this year's festival, emphasized that art is universal and said, "Art is the real glue that societies keep themselves alive in the human process. Thanks to the works left behind, we can get to know and discuss past societies. Therefore, it is our duty to stand by those who produce art." he said.
The 11th Short Film Festival, which aims to bring qualified new artists to Turkish cinema, will start on November 21 at Atlas 1948 Cinema.
The festival, where screenings and events will meet with moviegoers at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) Yeşilçam Cinema on 21-28 November, will host programs with wide participation from master directors to actors, from producers to digital platform representatives.
Within the scope of the program specially prepared for this year, a selection of short films, special screenings, workshops, master classes, interviews and various events will be organized.
Cinema lovers who want to participate in the events can register free of charge through the festival's social media accounts and "www.kisadanhisse.org".
