For the fifth year, Izmir Film Lab remains the hub for short film production...

Izmir Film Lab: Supporting the Future of Cinema

Now in its 5th year, Izmir Film Lab continues to be a cornerstone of the Izmir International Short Film Festival, providing vital support to numerous projects. In addition to project pitching sessions, the platform hosts specialized training programs designed to keep the new generation of filmmakers informed about industry innovations. A key focus this year is Sustainable Film Production, where participants will learn eco-friendly filmmaking techniques through real-world case studies. All events will take place at the Izmir Architecture Center from November 6–8.

The Jury Announced

The National Short Film Project Competition will be judged by a prestigious panel: Faruk Güven (Head of TRT Cinema and Founder/Director of 12 Punto), Producer Diloy Gülün, and Director Onur Güler. Projects in the Izmir Category will be evaluated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dilara Balcı, Independent Producer Orhan Koçak, and Director Olcay Seda Çeken.

The Meeting Point of Short Film

As a primary hub for short filmmaking, Izmir Film Lab has spent five years fostering the production phase of new projects in Turkey. By connecting creators with industry professionals, it bridges the gap between talent and the market. This year, in collaboration with the EcoFilm Sustainable Production Platform, filmmaker Serpil Altın will provide expert insights into implementing sustainable practices within the Turkish film industry.

Valuable Industry Awards for Short Films

Izmir Film Lab provides essential awards to support the production and post-production stages. Key industry partners including Fono Film, THE TAMTAM, and Rollart Film will offer significant contributions.

• TheTamTam: Color Correction Suite and Finishing Award.

• Rollart Film: One-week camera and equipment support.

• Public Film: Production Support Award.

• Serpil Altın Film: Sustainability Consultancy for eco-friendly projects.

• Fono Film: Color Correction Suite and Finishing for sustainable projects.

• Kiralaçek.co: Co-production Award specifically for an Izmir-based project.

Finalist Projects Announced!

Izmir Category Finalists

• The Bracelet of Lies (Yalan Bilekliği) – Dir/Prod: Yasin Erdoğan

• A Quiet Place (Sakin Bir Yer) – Dir/Prod: Melihat Ağgül

• Our Home (Bizim Evimiz) – Dir/Prod: Begüm Aksoy

• The Return (Dönüş) – Dir: İlayda Yılmaz | Prod: Medine Çam, İlayda Yılmaz

• Abbas – Dir: Can Kahraman | Prod: Utku Çırak

• The Lady's Farewell (Hanımefendi’nin Vedası) – Dir: Helin Sevinç | Prod: Burak Yedekçi

• Do You Speak Arabic? (Arapçan Var Mı?) – Dir: Ammar Hamo | Prod: Tarık Zana Arslan, Yousef AlHawari

• Tolstoy in the Saddlebag (Heybedeki Tolstoy) – Dir/Prod: Yusuf Turan

• So Long – Dir: Anıl Doğru | Prod: Hamdi Murat Karakütük

• The Return (Dönüş) – Dir/Prod: Nihan Ertem

National Fiction Category Finalists

• As Long as a Night (Bir Gece Kadar Uzak) – Dir: Yaşar Güney Yurdakul | Prod: Koray Arıgümüş

• Repentance or Snow (İstiğfar Ya Da Kar) – Dir: Ecre Begüm Bayrak | Prod: Sığla Ünal, Orkun Hoylu

• A Silent Grandeur (Sessiz Bi’ Muhteşemlik) – Dir: Efe Can Yıldız | Prod: Okan Açmak

• Doomsday Man (Kıyamet Adam) – Dir: Merve Arslan | Prod: Ahmet Faruk Arslan

• I Don’t Understand Loud Voices (Yüksek Sesleri Anlamıyorum) – Dir: Erinç Durlanık | Prod: Esma Akalın

• Mr. Kalender (Kalender Bey) – Dir/Prod: Burak Erol

• Like an Excess Deficiency (Fazla Gelen Eksik Gibi) – Dir: Hamdi Murat Karakütük | Prod: Kasım Hasan Ünal

• Star (Yıldız) – Dir/Prod: Ezgi Temel

• Modification (Modifikasyon) – Dir: Enes Ersagun | Prod: Arslan Zeynep Şolphan Ara

• Orlando – Dir: Halime Usta | Prod: Didem Nur Yayman