The 62nd International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival will take place from October 24 to November 2, 2025. This prestigious event will feature international premieres, social narratives, and children's films, which continues its legacy as one of the country's most prestigious cinema events.
The lineup includes:
“Mad Bills to Pay,” directed by Joel Alfonso Vargas,
exploring class struggle, coming of age, and family dynamics.
“Urchin,” by Harris Dickinson, which premiered in the Un
Certain Regard section at Cannes and won the FIPRESCI Award, following a
homeless man’s life on the streets of London.
“Adam’s Sake,” directed by Laura Wandel, a mother–child
drama that examines institutional empathy and judgment, first shown in La
Semaine de la Critique at Cannes.
“A Poet,” by Simon Mesa Soto, portraying the life of a quiet
poet in Medellin, premiered in Un Certain Regard at Cannes 2025.
“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” written and directed by Mary
Bronstein, a psychological dark comedy that made its debut at Sundance 2025.
“Confidante,” directed by Cagla Zencirci and Guillaume
Giovanetti, starring Saadet Isil Aksoy, a co-production between Türkiye,
France, and Luxembourg. The film tells the story of a woman working on 900
hotlines in the 1990s whose life changes after a mysterious call.
“Mother’s Baby,” the fourth feature by Johanna Moder, about
a 40-year-old orchestra conductor confronting her personal and professional
limits.
“The Currents,” directed by Milagros Mumenthaler, depicting
the inner life of a successful Argentine artist named Lina.
“Divine Comedy,” directed by Ali Asgari, which premiered in
Venice’s Orizzonti section, following a filmmaker’s struggle against censorship
while finishing his last work.
“Otec (Father),” directed by Tereza Nvotova, a Slovak family
drama and the country’s Oscar entry, portraying the lives of Michal, Zuzana,
and their daughter Dominika.
Winners will be announced during an award ceremony on
November 1, 2025.
'From Borders to Limitlessness': Selection dedicated to
Palestine
A special section titled “From Borders to Limitlessness”
will bring together five films that reflect on human resilience and
displacement through the lens of Middle Eastern and North African filmmakers.
This year, the selection focuses on Palestine, offering a
cinematic response to loss, resistance, and collective memory.
The lineup includes:
“Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk,” directed by Sepideh
Farsi, depicting life under Israeli military occupation in Gaza.
“A Sad and Beautiful World,” by Cyril Aris, set in Beirut
and telling a thirty-year love story intertwined with grief and hope. The film
had its world premiere at Venice’s Giornate degli Autori section and will be
shown in Türkiye for the first time.
“The Voice of Hind Rajab,” directed by Kaouther Ben Hania,
which won the Grand Jury Prize at Venice after premiering in the festival’s
main competition. The film gives voice to Hind, a five-year-old girl killed in
Gaza, turning her memory into a symbol of silenced innocence.
“Promised Sky,” directed by Erige Sehiri, portraying three
women who migrate from Cote d’Ivoire to Tunisia in search of a better life. The
film was nominated for several awards in Cannes’s Un Certain Regard section.
“All That’s Left of You,” directed by Cherien Dabis, a
multigenerational Palestinian family saga exploring collective trauma and
inherited memory. After its premiere at Sundance 2025 and its Best
International Feature win at the Sydney Film Festival, it was screened out of
competition at Cannes and will have its Türkiye premiere in Antalya.
Festival organizers described the program as an invitation
to “witness the pain of Palestine through the language of art,” reaffirming
Antalya’s role as a meeting point for politically conscious cinema.
Golden Orange's new program for young audiences
For the first time, the Golden Orange will host a children’s film program, screening at 10:30 a.m. daily throughout the festival.
The initiative aims to introduce young audiences in Antalya
to international cinema through fun and thought-provoking stories.
Seven films were selected for the children’s program:
“Mustafa Kemal,” about a group of friends traveling through
time to witness Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s journey from his military school years
in Thessaloniki to the Italo-Turkish War.
“Buffalo Kids,” following two siblings who recently migrated
from Ireland to New York as they navigate the city’s bustling streets.
“Les As de la Jungle 2” (The Jungle Bunch: World Tour), a
French animation about a team of animals saving a forest from danger.
“Zak & Wowo, la legende de Lendarys” (Twin Team), the
adventure of Zak searching for his missing twin brother.
“Arco,” the story of a 10-year-old from a peaceful future
who accidentally travels back to 2075 and discovers a dangerous world,
screening in Türkiye for the first time.
Two short documentaries will also be shown for children:
“HOP Hayal Gucu Oyun Parki” (HOP Imagination Playground), about volunteers
building play areas in earthquake-hit Hatay, and “Hayatin Cizgisi” (Line of
Life), which follows young surfers in Samandag rebuilding their lives after the
disaster.
Since its founding in 1964, the Antalya Golden Orange Film
Festival has served as Türkiye’s most internationally recognized film event,
bridging regional cinema with global audiences. The 62nd edition promises to
uphold that legacy, combining artistic excellence with humanitarian
storytelling.
The festival’s international competition, Palestine-themed
selection, and new children’s section reflect a wider cinematic landscape—one
that seeks to engage with both contemporary realities and universal human
experiences.
Festival jury president Ömer Vargı[1] said global cinema is
going through a period of major change, adding that including Palestinian films
in the selection is a meaningful gesture amid ongoing conflicts.
Art director Deniz Yavuz announced that the jury will
include film critic Sevin Okyay, art director Zeynep Koloğlu, cinematographer
and producer Aydın Sarıoğlu, musician Mircan Kaya, actor Beren Saat and
director-actor Engin Alkan.
Actors Settar Tanrıöğen and Serap Aksoy will receive
lifetime achievement awards, while Feride Çiçekoğlu will be honored with the
contribution award. Merve Dizdar, Selahattin Paşalı and Cansu Baydar will
receive achievement awards.
A total of 104 local and international films will be
screened during the 10-day event
The centerpiece remains the highly competitive National Feature Film Competition, featuring a strong lineup of twelve Turkish cinematic works vying for recognition. Among the eagerly anticipated entries are «Aldığımız Nefes» and «Bağlar, Kökler ve Tutkular». Complementing this domestic focus, the International Competition will present eleven carefully curated films. The inclusion of these works, sourced from diverse nations across Europe and Asia, underscores the festival’s enduring commitment to its global status and cross-cultural exchange.
Beyond the excitement of the competitive categories, the schedule incorporates numerous professional development activities. These include specialized masterclasses and insightful panel discussions focusing on critical topics such as ensuring the sustainable development of the film industry and the practical implementation of cutting-edge technologies, including innovative immersive formats, into modern storytelling techniques.
[1] Ömer Vargı, who will serve as President of the National Feature Jury at the 62nd International Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, has directed more than 1,500 commercials throughout his career. Vargı began his film career in 1974 by working on Yılmaz Güney and Şerif Gören's film "Endişe" (Anxiety). He then served as Şerif Gören's assistant on "Earthquake," "Taxi Driver," and "River."
Vargı attracted attention in the film world by producing the 1983 film "Günin Eclipduğu Gün" (The Day the Sun Eclipsed) and the 1993 film "Amerika." In 1996, he produced "Eşkıya," which reached over 3 million viewers, becoming a turning point in Turkish cinema history and sparking a major revival in the industry. The film was also nominated for an Oscar. Vargı, who reached a wide audience as a producer and director with the 1998 film "Everything Will Be Very Beautiful," continued his success in 2003 with "Construction." He also served as a producer on Yavuz Turgul's Oscar-nominated film "Gönül Yarası" (Gonul Yarası), released in 2005, and as both producer and director on the 2007 film "Kabadayı."
In 2009, Vargı produced the TV series "Cam Kırıkları" (Broken Glass), directed the film "Anatolian Eagles" (Eagle's Eagles) in 2011. He reprised his role as producer and director on the 2014 film "On Yılda Bir İnşaat" (A Construction in Ten Years).
Ömer Vargı was also awarded the "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the 55th International Antalya Film Festival in 2018.
In his book "I'm Also Here in This Film," published in 2024, Vargı shared his journey in Turkish cinema, his behind-the-scenes experiences, and his unforgettable memories from the industry with readers.
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