One of Turkey’s most established cinematic gatherings, the Ankara Film Festival, is set to meet audiences for its 36th edition from November 13–21, 2025. Among the festival’s most anticipated moments are the Honor Awards, which this year will once again celebrate the multifaceted and enduring figures of the arts.
Zuhal Olcay, whose prolific contributions to theater, cinema, and music have earned her a special place in audiences’ hearts across generations, will receive the Aziz Nesin Labor Award. Rutkay Aziz, a pioneering actor of Turkish theater and remembered for his unforgettable characters on the big screen, will be honored with the Sanat Çınarı (Art Plane Tree) Award.
Sinematek/Sinema Evi, which keeps cinema culture alive and preserves Turkey’s memory through archival work, has been named the recipient of this year’s Mass Communication Award. Two inspiring figures of the younger generation, Demet Evgar and Selman Nacar, whose works transcend boundaries, will be recognized with the Foundation Special Awards.
The 36th Ankara Film Festival Honor Awards will be presented to their recipients during the festival’s opening night on November 13. As in previous years, these awards will not only celebrate the individual journeys of the artists but also shine a light on Turkey’s cultural and artistic heritage.
