It's All About Film: Sinefest '13 Brings Filmmakers, Actors to Campus

Sinefest, Bilkent's annual film festival showcasing Turkish cinema, is currently underway. Organized by Bilkent Sanatsal Etkinlikler Topluluğu with sponsorship from the Ministry of Culture, Sinefest '13 kicked off on April 26, with film screenings continuing through Saturday, May 4. The festival will close on May 5 with an award ceremony and a concert.

Movies were selected by the SET team from among those released during the previous year. Films being shown at Sinefest '13 are: “Ateşin Düştüğü Yer,” “Çakallarla Dans,” “Gözetleme Kulesi,” “Güzel Günler Göreceğiz,” “Sen Aydınlatırsın Geceyi,” “Uzun Hikaye,” “Tepenin Ardı,” “Vücut” and “Zenne.” Screenings, discussions and other festival events are taking place in various locations on the Bilkent campus, and are open free of charge to members of the Bilkent community.

The screening of Onur Ünlü's "Sen Aydınlatırsın Geceyi" on April 27 was one of the festival's highlights, given the fact that this award-winning film will not be shown in cinemas and will not be available on DVD. Mr. Ünlü and members of the cast were present for the event, and took part in an interview following the screening.

During the festival, audience members continue to have the opportunity to attend interviews, discussions and workshops with other well-known filmmakers and actors as well. Artists participating in Sinefest '13 include directors Caner Alper, Ersan Arsever, Mehmet Binay and Yeşim Ustaoğlu; actors Hatice Aslan, Erkan Avcı, Berk Hakman, Ercan Kesal, Mehmet Özgür, Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan and Tolga Tekin; performer Demir Demirkan; and author Atilla Dorsay.

The Sinefest award ceremony will take place on May 5 at Bilkent in the BLIS auditorium. Awards will be given in 11 categories, with the winners selected by the vote of Bilkent University academic staff members, students and graduates. Presentation of the awards will be followed by a concert by Mabel Matiz.

For the Sinefest program of events, please see page 8. Updates and additional information may be found by following Bilkent Sinefest on Facebook and Twitter.