STFF Shorts 2015 proudly announces the top 10 finalist films!
​
The short films of 12 finalists are screened as part of the Short Film Competition, in its second year. The competition jury, comprised of distinguished voices in the Seattle arts and film community, selected DoÄŸuÅŸ Özokutan ÇiftçioÄŸlu’s film “Random Attempts” as the winner from among the finalists. Demet Sever’s film “Rejection” was runner-up, while Yusuf Özer took third place with his film “Man On The Road.”
​
ÇiftçioÄŸlu, flew to Seattle and is covered by STFF, is hosted at the historic Hotel Sorrento in Seattle for the duration of the festival.
Winner :
RANDOM ATTEMPTS / OLAÄžAN DENEMELER
DOGUS CIFTCIOGLU | TURKEY | 2015
​
A question as old as the history of humankind: What does one live for? Why should we keep on living? Do we have the right to be unhappy about life after fulfilling the roles society has assigned us? According to our film's character Ayla, having no problem in her life does not mean everything is going well. Her monotonous life itself is a sufficient reason for committing suicide. Ayla who decides to take her own life somehow cannot succeed.
1st Runner Up:
REJECTION / RET
CIGDEM VITRINEL | TURKEY | 2015
​
Arif, “a writer with no published books” as he describes himself, bumps into Müzeyyen while he is trying to figure out women and love. Arif is sick of the endless expectations of women, and Müzeyyen seems to be wanting nothing but to give. Arif thinks that women always talk about themselves, and Müzeyyen says nothing but encourages him to talk instead. While he is working on finishing his novel, Arif wanders around Müzeyyen’s passionate and mysterious world. At the end of this sensuous journey, Müzeyyen will bring Arif deep sorrow and also some of the answers he’s been looking for so desperately.
2nd Runner Up:
MAN ON THE ROAD / YOLDAKÄ° ADAM
YUSUF OZER | TURKEY | 2014
A man hitch-hikes in the country side with luggage in his hand. He has to make a decision if he should get in the car that stops for him or should he help another car that breaks.
STFF SHORTS
2015
TEAM
​
Ozgur Arman
Rana San
M. Burak Senol
Arzu Cohen
Semih Energin
Yasemin Tareen
STFF SHORT FILM COMPETITION 2015 JURY MEMBERS
Beth Barrett
-
Seattle International Film Festival - Director of Programming
Beth is responsible for managing all aspects of film programming, the staff of film programmers, and securing films and guests for the Festival. She is also instrumental in the programming and management of SIFF Cinema and SIFF’s other year-round programs. An aficionado of short films, she secured SIFF’s status as an Academy Award® qualifying festival in 2008.
Charles Mudede
-
The Stranger - Associate Editor, Filmmaker
Charles Mudede writes about film, books, music, and his life in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, the USA, and the UK for The Stranger. Mudede is also a filmmaker: Two of his films, Police Beat and Zoo, premiered at Sundance, and Zoo was screened at Cannes. Mudede has written for the New York Times, Cinema Scope, Ars Electronica, C Theory, and academic journals.
Courtney Sheehan
-
Northwest Film Forum - Artistic Director
Courtney Sheehan leads Northwest Film Forum’s year-round film exhibition and special events, programs, and has curated film programs and produced events for theaters and festivals on three continents. As a journalist, Courtney has covered film events ranging from the world’s largest documentary festival (IDFA in Amsterdam) to South America’s largest animation festival (Anima Mundi in Rio de Janeiro) and her publications include Bitch Magazine, Senses of Cinema, The Independent, and NECSUS: European Journal of Media Studies. She co-founded Cine Migratorio, a migration-themed film festival in Santander, Spain.
​
Marcie McCabe
-
Film Writer
Marcie McCabe studied Film & Media at the University of Florida where she learned to break down the essential components of a film, discuss the overall narrative, shot-by-shot analysis, and theories on how media affects the individual and society. Working as a film writer for Vanguard Seattle (vanguardseattle.com) helped further develop and hone in on the skill of writing about film and understanding the role of the critic in the industry. More to the importance of film and culture, Marcie believes strongly that film is one of the most powerful mediums in existence and has a tremendous power to transform society.
Mikhael Williams
-
Seattle Office of Film & Music - Creative Industries Advocate
Mikhael Mei Williams is a versatile creative industries management professional with a breadth of experience spanning entertainment, music, and film in corporate, nonprofit, public sector, and higher education organizations. Currently she is the Creative Industries Advocate in the Seattle Office of Film + Music where she focuses on supporting the local creative industry and connecting professionals with opportunities to participate and engage in Seattle’s creative economy.
Semih Tareen
-
Film Music Composer
Semih Tareen is a 3-time award winning film composer located in Seattle. A compilation of his film music work "Karanlik Senfoniler" (Dark Symphonies) has been released by KALAN music, the prestigious record label in Istanbul featured in Fatih Akin's documentary "Crossing the Bridge". His latest film project, Ghostlight, has received critical acclaim and is currently out on DVD and streaming.