The 6th Korkut Ata International Film Festival of the Turkic World has ended in Istanbul. In the feature film competition, the TURKSOY special award went to Turkmen director Vepa Ishangulyyev's film “Gurgench Beauty Torebeg”, the official TURKSOY website reports.
The festival took place in Istanbul on 3–7 November. Its programme featured feature films, documentaries and short films. In total, audiences saw 56 films from 10 countries, as well as from autonomous republics and communities of the Turkic world.
The award for best film went to the thriller “Kanto” by Turkish director Ensar Altay. At the centre of the film is Sude, a 45-year-old housewife who has devoted many years to caring for her family. Just as she is finally about to take up permanent employment, her life changes dramatically: her mother-in-law mysteriously disappears, setting off a chain of dramatic and tense events
Following the competition programme, the following awards were presented:
- Best Film — “Kanto”, directed by Ensar Altay;
- Best Director — Zaur Gasymly, “Taghiyev: Mektep”;
- Best Actress — Amina Salmanova, “Ferzana Goes West”;
- Best Actor — Matyokub Matchonov, “Farz”;
- Best Screenplay — Nurzhigit Khaidarov, “Thirty-Eight: The Final Point”;
- Special Jury Prize for Feature Film — “Yusuf”;
- TURKSOY Special Prize — “Gurgench Beauty Torebeg” by Vepa Ishangulyyev;
- First place in the documentary competition — “Ysyakh: Summer Solstice”;
- Second place in the documentary competition — “Thirst for Life”;
- Third place in the documentary competition — “The Unquenchable Fire”;
- Special Jury Prize for Documentary Film — “Azykh Cave: The Cradle of Azerbaijan”;
- First place in the short film competition — “The Guide”;
- Second place — “Grandmother”;
- Third place — “Yusuf, the Sunny Boy”.
At the closing ceremony, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev stressed the importance of the festival as a platform for creating new film projects and developing co-productions.
The event also saw the title of “Tourism Capital of the Turkic World” for 2027 handed over to Tashkent. In 2026, Ankara held this status.
