05/02/2025 - Turkey's largest script development and co-production platform is accepting applications from both Turkish and international filmmakers until 12 February

A master class held as part of last year's edition of 12 Punto

The deadline for applications to 12 Punto, Turkey's largest script development and co-production platform, is fast approaching. Filmmakers have until 12 February to submit their projects for a chance to participate in the event. The seventh edition is set to take place in Istanbul from 13-20 July. The platform offers significant opportunities for Turkish and international creatives, with awards and development support available for both feature films and shorts.

The platform, designed to support the development of new film and TV projects with a focus on Turkish cinema, invites submissions from both Turkish filmmakers and international creative teams. Eligible projects include feature-length movies with a Turkish producer as the main producer, international co-productions with a Turkish producer involved, and short films.

For international co-productions, the TRT International Co-Production Award is up for grabs for feature-length projects with a minority Turkish co-producer. Past winners of the award have seen their films premiere at major international festivals. Notable recent winners include Shambhala [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Min Bahadur Bham, which premiered last year at the Berlinale; Quiet Life [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Alexandros Avranas
film profile] by Alexandros Avranas, which had its premiere in Venice’s Orizzonti last year; It All Ends Here [+see also:
film review
film profile] by Rajko Grlić (Pula Film Festival and Sarajevo Film Festival); the Locarno-premiered pictures The Sacred Spirit [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Chema García Ibarra
film profile] by Chema García Ibarra and Sermon to the Fish [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Hilal Baydarov; the Sundance-awarded Klondike [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Maryna Er Gorbach
film profile] by Maryna Er Gorbach; and the multi-award-winning Green Border [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Agnieszka Holland. The winners of this year’s edition will be announced at the 12 Punto closing ceremony.

Turkish filmmakers can also apply to 12 Punto 2025 in two main categories: feature-length film projects and short-film projects. For the feature category, 12 finalist projects will be selected by a preliminary jury composed of Turkish cinema professionals. These projects will partake in script development and pitching workshops led by international experts. Subsequently, an international jury will reward the projects with the TRT Co-Production Award, the TRT Pre-Purchase Award and the TRT Project Development Award. The short-film category will present six projects with the TRT Short Film Production Award.

At the last edition, the international jury included prominent figures from the global film industry, such as Academy Award-winning director Paweł Pawlikowski, actor Ghassan Massoud, Academy Award-winning producer Cat Villiers, Oscar-nominated helmer Rithy Panh and FIPRESCI president Ahmed Shawky. Other past jurors have included directors Danis Tanovic, Jasmila Žbanić and Elia Suleiman as well as producers Ewa Puszczynska and Rebecca O’Brien.

12 Punto aims to bring together filmmakers from around the world to foster collaboration, strengthen ties between Turkish and international cinema, and help participants develop projects that are competitive on the global stage. The platform’s diverse range of panels, master classes and networking opportunities will provide invaluable insights into the international film and TV industry. Last year, more than 400 projects applied to 12 Punto in all categories, including over 100 feature-length titles. Those interested in submitting an application can visit the website.