History doesn’t always reside in the dusty pages of books; sometimes it is reborn through a camera lens, or in the eyes of an actor. The inaugural Düzce Konuralp International Film Festival was more than just an event—it became a bridge of art connecting the past and the future, leaving a lasting mark on the cultural memory of the city. For four days, the many colors of cinema were reflected on the ancient stones of Konuralp, across the streets of Düzce, and within the halls of the university. The curtain finally fell on May 18 with a magnificent closing ceremony.
One City, One Passion, One Festival: Cinema Found Its Perfect Stage in Düzce
Poised on the edge of the Black Sea with deep historical roots, Düzce hosted not just a film event, but a cultural awakening with this festival. One of the key architects of the festival, Düzce Governor Selçuk Aslan, captured the essence of this journey in his opening speech:
“History is strong on this land—and so is cinema. Bringing the two together wasn’t just about organizing a festival; it was about preparing a city and its culture for the future. Together, we took the first step in placing cinema at the heart of our city.”
Throughout the festival, film screenings, panels, and talks drew the attention not only of Düzce residents but also of film enthusiasts from across Turkey. From university students to film critics, professional directors to local artists, people from all walks of life became part of this collective celebration of the cinematic arts.
A Masterful Voice, A Tribute Befitting Masters: The Story of Ediz Hun
One of the festival’s most memorable moments was undoubtedly the talk featuring Ediz Hun, a doyenne of Turkish cinema. Sharing heartfelt anecdotes from his life, Hun expressed that cinema was more than just a profession—it was a way of life for him:
“I began my university journey with cinema. The camera taught me patience, punctuality on set, how to live a role, and a sense of responsibility towards people. Cinema was my true university.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award presented to him at the closing ceremony was not only a recognition of his long and distinguished career but also a gratitude for the elegance he brought to the world of art.
Awards Went to Stories, Stories Left Their Mark
The competitive sections of the festival were organized into four categories. The winning films in Fiction, Documentary, Production Support, and the Governor’s Special Award categories stood out not only for their content but also for their social and artistic significance:
🎬 Fiction Category
Best Film: Aç Açına – Ahmet Toğaç
Second Place: The Plain Sing – Gita Feizi
Third Place: Toprağın İzi – Mert Eşberk
📽️ Documentary Category
Best Documentary: Free Words: A Poet From Gaza – Abdullah Harun İlhan
Second Place: Baletler Köyü – Fatih Diren
Third Place: Beyaz Dağın Çocukları – Yalçın Çiftçi
🎞️ Production Support Category
First Place: Anne, Babam Bana Kızacak mı? – Selin Aktaş
Second Place: 9.10 – Duhan Kavakoğlu
🕊️ Governor’s Special Award
Emma – Merve Kuş Mataracı
After a Beginning…
With this inaugural festival, Düzce opened its doors not only to cinema but also to a new language of art. The Düzce Konuralp International Film Festival, hoped to grow and continue in the coming years, now stands on the brink of becoming a cherished tradition.
The cameras have gone dark, the halls have fallen silent, but what remains are the frames etched into memory, the words that echoed through the theaters, and the stories engraved in our hearts.
