STFF SHORTS 2021 AWARDS
JURY FAVORITE
Directed by: Emre Sert & Gozde Yetiskin
Kısmet
$500
CASH PRIZE
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SEATTLE AUDIENCE
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$300
CASH PRIZE
Same Night Different Blue
Directed by: Nuri Cihan Ozdogan
STFF SHORTS 2021 PROGRAM
This year we teamed up with Seattle's Northwest Film Forum to make this screening possible. In addition to in-person screening on Dec 5, virtual screening is available during Dec 5–12. Don't forget to vote for "Audience Award" by rating the films!
There is also going to be an online Q&A panel session with some of the directors of the films on Dec 9, please register here to get the chance of meeting with them!
Consider becoming a member to support local film industry, as well as for discount tickets and more!
GRAND JURY FAVORITE
KISMET
EMRE SERT & GOZDE YETISKIN | TURKEY | 2020
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Gamze wants to marry his boyfriend, Emrah, but her father doesn’t consent to their marriage because Emrah is Alawite. One night, Gamze invites Emrah to dinner to present him to his father, Kenan, but Kenan doesn’t let him into the house. Kenan’s manager Necati and his wife, who unexpectedly knock the door aiming to help Gamze to persuade Kenan.
"Strong performances, strong images, all together powerful punch, with many plot lines which come together skillfully. Film unfolds various power dynamics hierarchies in a minimalist way, between father/daughter, worker/boss, etc. creating a dynamic and disturbing experience. The gender dynamics are very realistic, and offer a moment of solidarity between the women in the film and the power of the daughter, despite the mother’s disempowerment. Overall, powerful work" - STFF 2021 Grand Jury Members
THE GREAT ISTANBUL DEPRESSION
1st Runner Up
ZEYNEP DILAN SUREN | TURKEY, JAPAN | 2020
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Didem and AyÅŸe aren’t able to find a job even though it has been a while since they've graduated from the university. In this time period in which these two young women step into adulthood and need to make money now - this period of time that is short for humanity, but lingering for them - the days are not much different from the previous ones.
"Creatively and playfully works with representing depression and the disorienting time after college. The film including great performances, strong images, interesting use of cultural references, and many surprising and hilarious moments. Exciting and fresh representation of the relationship between sisters. Effectively works with the experience of being depressed to reflect on a larger social-political moment in a humorous way." - STFF 2021 Grand Jury Members
SAME NIGHT
DIFFERENT BLUE
2nd Runner Up
NURI CIHAN OZDOGAN | TURKEY | 2021
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In the present time, an old antiquarian owns a stamp which belongs to a letter sent by Adolf Hitler to Turkey during the World War II. Kadir, ex-accomplice of Yagmur who has sworn off stealing, is after the stamp that is worth millions. He now has to persuade Yagmur to impeccably carry on with his plan.
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"Strong use of short-film format - it is a compelling film that could only be told in that way. Exciting use of perspective and animation. Powerful female hero, who outwits the others in a surprising way, and gives the viewer a feeling of satisfaction." - STFF 2021 Grand Jury Members
GRAND JURY FAVORITE
Note: List is ordered by screening time
SUBORDINATE
ALI CABBAR | TURKEY | 2020
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Serhad works with a man who illegally makes black people selling watches. He falls in love with a black woman who has come to the country illegally, but it is not becoming well as expected.
BEAUTIFUL WEATHER
OKAN AKGUN | TURKEY | 2021
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Rıfat, who has his life routine and lives with his mother, works as a lost and found clerk and station announcer in a metro station in İstanbul. When Filiz, an attractive woman, comes to Rıfat's room to retrieve her lost phone, she forgets a poetry book in the room this time. After meeting Filiz, Rıfat starts to look on the bright side of his life.
EVERYTHING AS IT SHOULD BE
ONAT ESENMAN | TURKEY | 2019
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The life of Saffet (40), an upper middle class man, changes significantly when he sees the underage, beautiful and edgy Rüya, the daughter of his neighbor for the first time in the apartment corridor.
THE CRIMINALS
SERHAT KARAASLAN | TURKEY | 2020
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The Criminals is a social realist drama combined with the elements of the thriller film and within its heart the desire and the question of intimacy. Nazli and Emre are a young, modern couple that love each other and seek to enjoy themselves. Sexuality is not a taboo for them. They freely and joyfully desire each other. Their only obstacle is others.
BRIGITTE BARDOT
CAGIL BOCUT | TURKEY | 2020
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A "modern" Turkish family expects an exchange student from France who will accompany their 10-year-old daughter for the summer. Their shy daughter will not only practice French, but also have a friend finally. When this "expected visitor" came, they were frustrated that the boy's name is Hafid.
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SUSAM
SAMI MORHAYIM | TURKEY | 2021
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A Turkish-Jewish family faces a series of dilemmas on the morning of Susam’s Bar-mitzvah ceremony with the limitations of Shabbat day rules when Susam locks himself in his room and does not get out for his ceremony.
LEYLAK
SCOTT AHARONI & DENNIS LATOS | USA | 2021
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In present day Queens, New York, a Turkish gravedigger is unable to face a shattering truth, and risks losing the dearest connection left in his life. As New York City deals with the ravishing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, YUSUF, a 45-year-old immigrant gravedigger in Queens, struggles to make ends meet and care for RENK, his eleven-year-old daughter.
STFF SHORTS
2021
PREJURY
Basak Basbayraktar
Burak Boyacioglu
Ceren Demirkilinc
Didem Demirkilinc
Ela Furat
Ezgi Yucel
Irem Gokce Aydin
Nural Sumbultepe
Ozgur Arman
Senay Cebioglu
STFF SHORTS 2021 GRAND JURY
Christina Antonakos-Wallace
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Filmmaker and Cultural Organizer
Christina is a Seattle-based filmmaker, cultural organizer, and lifelong activist. Her films and interactive work have been exhibited in over fifteen countries. Accolades include Best Feature Film from Seattle’s Local Sightings Film Festival for her film FROM HERE (2020), a Euromedia Award for Culture of Diversity (2011), a Media that Matters Change Maker Award (2012), recognition from the German Alliance for Democracy and Tolerance (2015) and an MTV Fight for Your Rights Scholarship. Commissions and grants include the New America Foundation, Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, and the German Ministry for Civic Education. She has been a Fellow at Hedgebrook (2017) and the Port Townsend Film Festival (2015), and Humanity in Action (2006). She leads the initiative withwingsandroots.org, where she collaborates with a network of media makers and scholars to reimagine migration, citizenship, and belonging.
Onur Bakiner
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Political Scientist
Onur Bakiner is Associate Professor of Political Science at Seattle University. His research and teaching interests include transitional justice, human rights and judicial politics, particularly in Latin America and the Middle East.
Sirin Aysan
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Television Producer and Filmmaker
Sirin Aysan has produced acclaimed series and specials for major broadcasters and streaming platforms. Sirin has covered stories around the globe and is the recipient of the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for her work on “Child Brides” for PBS. The television programs she has directed have been nominated for Emmy, Prism, and Telly awards.
MEET THE ARTIST
Meet Kreau! The artist behind the illustration of this year's STFF Shorts open call poster!
As the STFF Team, we are honored to have him on-board this year!
KREAU
kreau.com
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I describe my work as a collection of eclectic, silly, and sometimes macabre stencil art that explores a variety of themes through surreal juxtaposition. Stencils allow for precision in my designs and let me focus on developing conceptual images with myriad subtext and interpretations.
This last year, as plywood boards lined the streets, I felt it was important to contribute to the community’s shared conversations and experiences through non-commissioned murals as often as I could -responding to new and current events- as a means to visually display and encourage empathy, justice, and action.
Among the first pieces to appear in the Pike/Pine corridor on Capitol Hill in Seattle, as well as in as in the front lines of the East Precinct protests, later CHOP, and beyond, I am honored to have covered topics such as systemic racism, voter suppression, Covid-19, mental health, and more.