Nefise Karatay was the presenter of the ceremony at Kocatepe Cultural Center.
This year, within the scope of the festival, the "Aziz Nesin Labor Award" was given to actress Demet Akbağ, the "Art Plane Award" was given to musician Bülent Ortaçgil, the "Mass Communication Award" was given to film critic Atilla Dorsay, and the "Foundation Special Award" was given to actors Bige Önal and Boran Kuzum.
Speaking at the ceremony, World Mass Communication Research Foundation Chairman of the Board and Festival Director İrfan Demirkol stated that they are carrying out an intensive preparation process for the festival and that they will bring together carefully selected productions from world and Turkish cinema with movie lovers.
Stating that the films that will compete in the festival are determined by preliminary juries consisting of academics, cinema writers and industry representatives, Demirkol said, "We are an independent festival. It is said that we are the only independent film festival in Türkiye, and we really are." he said.
Demirkol thanked the institutions, jury members and festival team that contributed to the organization of the festival.
"I came running to such a festival"
Cinema writer and critic Atilla Dorsay, who was deemed worthy of the "Mass Communication Award", stated in his statement to AA correspondent that receiving an award from the Ankara Film Festival had a special meaning for him.
Stating that he received many awards throughout his career, Dorsay noted that Ankara has a special place for him with its historical and cultural identity.
Explaining that he visited many cities in Anatolia, Dorsay said, "Ankara is completely different. I rushed to such a festival." he said.
Making evaluations about the recent situation of Turkish cinema, Dorsay said, "In general, it seems to me that cinema has lost its audience a little. It is not as bright as it used to be, that is, Turkish cinema has had brighter days than this." he said.
Emphasizing that filmmakers should not despair in the face of this situation, Dorsay said that better scripts should be written and qualified directors and actors should be worked with.
Referring to the success of Turkish cinema in the international arena, Dorsay said, "We have been mentioned in the Oscars as well. We have been mentioned in other festivals as well. I'm sure it will be in the future as well." he said.
Emphasizing that cinema is an important art that brings together other branches of art, Dorsay said, "Love cinema. Cinema is the 7th art. There were 6 arts, cinema came and combined them all. Give more importance to cinema. Embrace it." he called.
Musician Bülent Ortaçgil, who was deemed worthy of the "Art Plane Tree Award", said that he loved Türkiye very much and that a song he wrote about 50 years ago gave him the opportunity to continue his life today.
Stating that he is happy to continue his life with his own songs, Ortaçgil said, "I would like to thank all the people, places and events in my life that made me who I am." he said.
"This award was very good for me"
Actress Demet Akbağ, who received the "Aziz Nesin Labor Award", stated that she has been dreaming of being on stage since her childhood.
Expressing his happiness that this dream took him to where he is today, Akbağ said, "Although I have not been here with a new movie for a long time, this award was very good for me." he said.
Akbağ thanked the masters, teachers, co-stars, directors, scriptwriters, producers, set and stage workers with whom he crossed paths throughout his acting career.
Akbağ also thanked the audience who welcomed him with love over the years and expressed his satisfaction in receiving the award.
Actress Bige Önal, who was deemed worthy of the "Foundation Special Award", said that it was a great pleasure and honor for her to receive an award from the Ankara Film Festival.
Önal stated that it touched him to be deemed worthy of an award in the field of cinema, in which he worked hard and loved very much, and stated that he wanted to continue working in independent cinema.
Noting that he is hopeful for the future of Turkish cinema, Önal said, "Very good works are produced every year. We have very good directors, very good screenwriters, very good teams, very good actors." he said.
In his speech at the ceremony, Önal stated that he dedicated his award to the set workers working behind the scenes in the cinema industry.
Boran Kuzum, the other actor who was deemed worthy of the "Foundation Special Award" at the festival, could not attend the ceremony due to health problems.
Addressing the participants with the video message he sent, Kuzum said that he wanted to be at the ceremony very much and stated that, as a native of Ankara, it gave him great pleasure to receive an award from the Ankara Film Festival.
The opening and honorary awards ceremony ended with the songs performed by artist Zuhal Olcay.
The 37th Ankara Film Festival will continue with film screenings and various events until November 20.
