21st Akbank Short Film Festival Countdown Begins!
Initiated in 2004 with the aim of bringing short films to wider audiences, supporting new filmmakers, and contributing creative perspectives to the industry, the Akbank Short Film Festival is celebrating its 21st edition this year. One of Turkey's most established short film events, the festival will take place from March 17-27, 2025, across three locations in Istanbul: Beylikdüzü Atatürk Culture and Art Center, Kadıköy Cinema and Akbank Sanat.
In addition to showcasing many national and international short films, the festival will host workshops, talks, and masterclass events with the participation of directors, actors, and industry professionals. As in every year, all events will be shared with cinema lovers free of charge.
The 21st Akbank Short Film Festival will present a wide selection of films, including "Festival Shorts," “World Shorts," "Documentary Cinema," "Perspective," "Special Screenings," and "Young Talents." The competition sections of the festival consist of three main categories: National and International Competition, Forum – Screenplay Competition, and Young Talents. This year, the festival received 2,346 short film submissions from 73 countries. The Forum section received a total of 534 project submissions.
The National Competition jury includes actress Dolunay Soysert, writer Hakan Bıçakçı, actor Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan, director Ferit Karahan, and Akbank Sanat director Derya Bigalı.
The festival's “World Shorts” International Competition will be accompanied by a jury composed of prominent figures from the world of cinema. The jury includes director Min Bhadur Bham, actress Yasemin Kay Allen, director Charles Williams, documentary filmmaker Sahra Mani, and film curator and academic Giulia Iannello.
The “Documentary Cinema” section will feature Sahra Mani, one of the strong voices in documentary cinema, known for her courageous works addressing social realities in Afghanistan. Her internationally acclaimed film A Thousand Girls Like Me will be showcased at the festival, with the director in attendance.
In the “Short to Feature” section, director Vuslat Saraçoğlu will be featured this year. Saraçoğlu will share her cinematic journey and experiences, showcasing her award-winning feature film Borç (Debt), which won the Best Film award at the 37th Istanbul International Film Festival, as well as her short documentary Müslüm Baba’nın Evlatları (The Children of “Müslüm Baba”).
The Forum – Screenplay Competition jury is composed of director Vuslat Saraçoğlu, actor Erdem Şenocak, and screenwriter Erdi Işık.
The jury for the "Young Talents" section, which is organized for the fourth time, to gather the interest of young people aged 20 and under in short films and encourage productions in this field, includes actress Alina Boz, producer İpek Erden, and actor-director Haki Biçici.