YOUNG WITCH AWARD WINNER ECE BAĞCI SPEAKS OUT ON MESEM
The 29th International Flying Broom Women’s Film Festival opened in Ankara on Thursday with an awards ceremony held under this year’s theme, “Did You Say Flower?”.
Hosted at the Ankara State Opera and Ballet Hall, the opening night brought together leading figures from the film industry, diplomats, and cinema lovers. The ceremony featured the presentation of the Honorary Award, the Bilge Olgaç Achievement Awards, and the Young Witch Award.
The evening was hosted by actors Şenay Gürler and Yetkin Dikinciler.
Opening the festival, Flying Broom Foundation President Ayşe Ürün Güner said the event had endured not only because of a love for cinema, but also because of a shared vision for “a more equal, more just, and freer world.”
Among the evening’s honorees was veteran actress Emel Göksu, who received the Honorary Award in recognition of a career spanning more than six decades. The award was presented by her daughter, actress Fadik Sevin Atasoy.
Accepting the award, Göksu spoke of her deep personal connection to the venue, where she had appeared in numerous productions throughout her career. She noted that her daughter had also worked on the same stage, her son Eren Ergüleç had performed there as a ballet dancer, and her grandchildren are currently members of the Ankara State Opera and Ballet Children’s Ballet.
RECOGNISING THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES
This year’s Bilge Olgaç Achievement Awards were presented to three recipients.
Producer Dilde Mahalli, who received her award from actress Ezgi Çelik, said the recognition was especially meaningful because it highlighted the often-overlooked work of producers.
“I’m truly delighted that this award is being presented to producers. We want directors and actors to be in the spotlight, but the efforts of good producers and those striving to become good producers often remain unseen. This award is a wonderful reminder of why we keep going and helps us forget the challenges along the way,” she said.
MELİSA SÖZEN SENDS A VIDEO MESSAGE
Actress Melisa Sözen, another recipient of the Bilge Olgaç Achievement Award, was unable to attend the ceremony as she was in the United Kingdom for the South by Southwest Festival, where Mahnaz Mohammadi’s latest film, Roya, was having its UK premiere.
In a video message, Sözen paid tribute to women resisting gender inequality.
“To all my sisters who stand against the male-dominated system that seeks to make being a woman in this world a painful and dangerous struggle, and who give voice to women whose words, lives, and bodies have been taken away, I’m grateful for your existence. We will keep our hearts soft, our heads held high, and our lives free,” she said.
Lucia Murat
THE RESILIENCE OF BRAZILIAN AND TURKISH WOMEN
Brazilian filmmaker Lucia Murat, the third recipient of the Bilge Olgaç Achievement Award, received her award from film critic Alin Taşçıyan.
Reflecting on her experience in Türkiye, Murat praised the women behind the festival and the broader struggle for equality.
“What I discovered here was a community of women fighting for gender equality in their own circumstances while also building such an extraordinary festival. The resilience of Brazilian and Turkish women shows us that we stand together in every struggle for human rights, gender equality and against racism,” she said.
A HOPE FOR SPACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN SPEAK FREELY
This year’s Young Witch Award went to 19-year-old actress Ece Bağcı, who made her screen debut in Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s About Dry Grasses. The award was presented by Cengiz Orhonlu.
In one of the evening’s most talked-about speeches, Bağcı used the stage to address a range of social issues.
“I’m not sure what I should talk about here. I want to talk about the Gezi protests that began 13 years ago around this time. I want to talk about workers trying to earn a living in the summer heat, and workers who lose their jobs overnight because of an employer’s arbitrary decision. I want to talk about young people aged 13 to 18 whose labour is exploited through the MESEM system, who lose their lives and whose deaths are brushed aside as workplace accidents. I want to talk about students resisting an oppressive and reactionary education system that is constantly being covered up through strange decisions and statements imposed on us. Just like this festival, I want to talk about women who refuse to bow to simplistic labels such as ‘women are flowers’, women who think, who have ideas and who resist. I want to talk about everyone who continues to resist. I hope we will always have spaces, in the streets, on stage, on screen and in every aspect of life, where we can freely express our ideas and speak our minds,” she said.
WOMEN’S VISIBILITY
Actor Yetkin Dikinciler, speaking to Nefes during the ceremony, said women’s visibility had become a growing concern in Türkiye.
“In the world we live in, people need to keep speaking out against exclusion, marginalisation and discrimination. The International Flying Broom Women’s Film Festival not only reflects women’s experiences through women’s eyes but also continues to strengthen solidarity and collective action. Even as a man, I’m proud to be part of that. Women create, produce, live and contribute to every aspect of society, yet they still do not receive the recognition they deserve. Male-dominated culture continues to shape societies across the world, to varying degrees,” he said.
The ceremony also featured live performances by musicians Zeynep Burcu Altınel and Murat Köseler.
TÜRKİYE AND ANKARA PREMIERES
The festival, which has spent nearly three decades amplifying women’s voices, stories, memories and creative work, will showcase 47 films from 23 countries through Türkiye and Ankara premieres.
Over six days, audiences will be invited to explore a nine-section programme centred on themes of memory, resistance, solidarity and the many-layered experiences of women.
