After five days of film showings, the Fifth
Paso Student Film Festival ended on April 23 with a closing party at
Upload. The festival, which is organized every year at the German
Cultural Center in downtown Ankara by the Bilkent University Faculty of
Art, Design and Architecture, Gazi University Faculty of Communication,
Başkent University Faculty of Communication, METU GISMA (International
Graduate School of Management and Administration) and Ankara University
Faculty of Communication, this year welcomed student guests from Georgia
and two filmmakers and VJs from Germany, as well as Turkish film
director Zeki Demirkubuz.
During the five-day festival, many films made by students from a number
of Turkish universities and from universities in other countries, mainly
in Europe, were shown. The films included various types, from comedy to
documentary to experimental video art. Students had a chance to
participate in workshops, join in discussions about the films and meet
student filmmakers and enthusiasts from other universities.
The Fifth Paso Film Fest also offered new features, such as the 'New
Media' category. One of this year's most interesting films was the "fun"
documentary about Bilkent University and its students. It was like a
self-satire, depicting privileged backgrounds and tough academic
conditions. Another very successful documentary, produced by the Ankara
University Faculty of Communication, focused on the conditions faced by
refugees in Van. All of the other movies were also well worth watching.
Both scripts and technical work made it clear that there will be
exciting new developments in cinema in Turkey during the coming years.
For those who missed this year's Paso Film Fest, there will be another
chance to participate in this fantastic student festival next year,
whether as a filmmaker or a member of the audience.
Gülay Acar (COMD/II)
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