The 13th International Crime and Punishment Film Festival Kicked Off in Istanbul with the Opening Ceremony at Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall

The 13th edition of the International Crime and Punishment Film Festival, held annually with the theme of justice, began with an opening ceremony at Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall. The opening program was hosted by Pınar Altuğ Atacan and Hakan Bilgin.

Sözüer: “Especially for legal professionals, we want them to apply the law without being influenced by any authority or power.”

Adem Sözüer, the president of the festival, stated in his opening speech that they have brought up many issues over the years leading to the 13th edition of the festival. He expressed his gratitude to institutions such as Istanbul University, the Ministry of Culture, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, and Şişli Municipality for their support. Sözüer said, “We are holding the 13th edition of the International Crime and Punishment Film Festival with the aim of bringing different worlds together in the justice platform and finding fair solutions to problems. In past years, we wanted to end human tragedies, ensure that the rule of law prevails in all areas, not arbitrary power. Unfortunately, tragedies have increased even more nowadays. One way to reduce them is to create an environment where everyone can express themselves, talk to each other, even if they are different. For this, freedom of expression must be safeguarded in every aspect. Therefore, in our festival, we show justice films from all over the world on the justice platform and discuss freedom of expression in our academic program. We want everyone, regardless of their religion, nation, belief, and opinion, to come together without discrimination based on nationality, ethnic origin, gender, sexual identity, lifestyle, or worldview, and talk and discuss. We say that the burning of sacred books, including the Quran, should be seen not as ‘freedom of expression’ but as ‘hate speech.’ We want people to express their feelings and thoughts through the press, social media, art, and science without fear from any authority, while making peaceful demonstrations. We especially want legal professionals to apply the law without being influenced by any authority or power, and we say justice for everyone.”

Academic Program

Every year, an academic program is organized at Istanbul University Faculty of Law during the festival. The 13th International Crime and Punishment Film Festival’s academic program, themed “Freedom of Expression,” will take place from November 17 to November 23. Sessions, panels, and film analyses by student clubs will be conducted at Istanbul University Doctorate Hall. The presentations made during the academic program will be published as a book, as is the tradition.

Semerci: “Justice for Everyone, Cinema for Everyone”

Bengi Semerci, the director of the International Crime and Punishment Film Festival, said, “We organize the festival every year with our friends, who increase by accumulating each year. We thank those who support us. This year, many films to be screened at the festival are also Oscar nominees for their countries. We continue to say ‘Justice for Everyone,’ but especially this year and in the future, we also say ‘Cinema for Everyone.’” Semerci provided detailed information about the festival to the participants and concluded her speech.

Awards were presented to the winners

The annual honorary awards given by the International Crime and Punishment Film Festival were announced. The “Cinema Honor Award” was presented to actress Ayşenil Şamlıoğlu for her long-standing work in cinema and theater. The “Academic Honor Award” was given to Prof. Dr. İonna Kuçuradi for her work in human rights and freedom of expression. The awards were presented at the opening ceremony on the evening of November 16, 2023. Şamlıoğlu, in her speech, said, “One of my professors once said that this country is a values slaughterhouse, thanks to this festival, we remembered our awareness.” Kuçuradi, in her thank-you speech, said, “The best language of communication is cinema.”

“Contributions to Cinema Awards” were given

At the ceremony, “Contribution to Cinema Awards” were presented to Alin Taşçıyan for her contributions to the introduction and development of cinema and to cinematographer Hüseyin Özşahin for his efforts in the creation of many films. Hüseyin Şahin’s award was delivered to Necmettin Çobanoğlu to be conveyed to him.

Film Screening Schedule Shared

This year, film screenings include selected films from Turkish and World cinema, as is the tradition, focusing on the main theme of justice. The belief that cinema is a mirror for society and the importance of justice reflecting from this mirror will bring together innovations, new films, new sections, and, most importantly, justice and cinema volunteers. The screening schedule was also presented to the participants at the ceremony.

Nine films will compete in the Golden Scale Feature Film Competition

This year’s film screenings consist of selected films from Turkish and World cinema, with justice as the main theme, as in previous years. Nine films will compete in the Golden Scale Feature Film Competition.

Ten films will compete in the Golden Scale Short Fiction Film Competition

Selected films from Turkish and World cinema with justice as the main theme will take their place in the Golden Scale Short Fiction Film Competition. Ten films will compete in this section.

The Golden Scale Short Documentary Film Competition is in its second year

Ten short documentary films will be screened and compete in this category.

“Scale of Justice”

The “Scale of Justice” will reach the audience again. In the “Scale of Justice” section, 14 films from the distinguished examples of world cinema will be featured.

Industry Days ‘VisionIST’ for the 5th time

From November 18 to November 22, 2023, VisionIST, the event where developments in the industry are introduced, discussed, and communication meetings are held, will take place in its 5th year at Beyoğlu Metrohan. There will be a total of 21 events in the program, and to participate, filling out the accreditation form on the festival’s website, icapff.com, is sufficient.

Jury members of the 13th International Crime and Punishment Film Festival were announced

This year, the jury members in the competition categories of the 13th International Crime and Punishment Film Festival, which will be screened in three cinemas, namely Beyoğlu Atlas 1948 Cinema, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Beyoğlu Cinema, and Kadıköy Cinema, were announced.

Jury for the Golden Scale Feature Film Competition

Franck Finance-Madureira, the program director of the 13th International Crime and Punishment Film Festival, made the following statements about the jury members of the Golden Scale Feature Film Competition: “The jury of the Golden Scale Feature Film Competition consists of Yolande Zauberman, Anna Margarita Albelo, Carmen Gray, Melis Behlil, and Selen Öztürk. This year, Yolande Zauberman will chair the jury.”

Jury for the Golden Scale Short Fiction Film Competition

Julie Rousson will chair the jury of the Golden Scale Short Fiction Film Competition at the 13th International Crime and Punishment Film Festival. Lalehan Öcal and Serdar Örçin will determine the best short film as other jury members.

The short films that will compete in the Golden Scale Short Fiction Film Competition of the 13th International Crime and Punishment Film Festival were selected by the pre-jury consisting of İrem Akbal, Maxine Williamson, and Kasım Ördek.

Jury for the Golden Scale Short Documentary Film Competition

Enis Rıza Sakızlı will chair the jury of the Golden Scale Short Documentary Film Competition. The other jury members are Aslı Akdağ and Yorgos Zois. The films were selected by the pre-jury consisting of Ayşegül Selenga, Farhad Eyvazi, and Muhammed Beyazdağ.

SIYAD jury was also announced

The jury of the Golden Scale Feature Film Competition of the 13th International Crime and Punishment Film Festival SİYAD (Cinema Writers Association) consists of Aslı Ildır, Rıza Oylum, and Sezen Sayınalp. In addition, the student jury includes Günsu Akçatepe, Merve Baba, Tulya Tuana Diplomat, İrem Varol, and Mert Baran Yeşilbahçe.

The ceremony concluded with the screening of the film ‘Before the Flame Goes Out.’