The seventh edition of 12 Punto – Turkey’s flagship initiative aimed at energising the film industry – has concluded with an awards ceremony held in Istanbul. Unspooling between 13 and 20 July across various venues in the city, the TRT-organised platform once again brought together a dynamic mix of around 60 film professionals from 35 countries around the globe, including filmmakers, script consultants, producers, festival programmers and film professionals.

Speaking at the closing event, TRT Deputy General Manager Mücahid Eker emphasised the crucial role 12 Punto plays in fostering authentic storytelling and supporting filmmakers seeking out new pathways in a rapidly shifting cinematic landscape. He underlined the importance of producing films rooted in cultural identity, focusing on narratives that reflect shared values and preserve a sense of historical and social continuity.

Eker also highlighted the growing global recognition of TRT-backed productions. Over the last four years, TRT has co-produced 91 films that have collectively received 466 awards at major festivals around the world. Many of these titles began their journey through 12 Punto, affirming the platform’s relevance and impact on the international scene.

The jury comprised distinguished figures from world cinema, including acclaimed filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev who headed up the jury, alongside Austrian filmmaker Jessica Hausner, Golden Globe president Helen Hoehne, ARTE France Cinéma’s Olivier Père, and Palestinian actress Yasmine Al Massri. They awarded the TRT Co-Production Prize to three projects and the TRT Pre-Buy trophy to three additional projects. The TRT International Co-Production Prize was awarded to four projects and, in collaboration with TRT and the Sarajevo Film Festival, one finalist project received the Sarajevo Film Festival Cinelink Producer Award, continuing a tradition initiated two years ago.

The winners list:

Sarajevo Film Festival Cinelink Producer Award
Assumption - Tarık Ötgen (Turkey)
Producers: İpek Erden, Tarık Ötgen (Vayka Film), Atetot Film

TRT International Co-Production Award
Beirut 1931 – Kamal Aljafari (Palestine/Turkey)
Producer: Hakan Sancaktutan

Minotaur – Andrey Zvyagintsev (France/Turkey)
Producers: MK2, Yusuf Aslanyürek

My Notes on Mars – Lili Horvat (Bosnia and Herzegovina/Turkey)
Producers: Mirsad Purivatra, Mehmet Bahadır Er

Dead Hasan – Turkan Huseyn (Azerbaijan/Turkey)
Producers: Emil Necefov, Emrah Kılıç

TRT Co-Production Award
Of Calves and Men - Fikret Reyhan (Turkey)
Producer: Nizam Reyhan (FNR Film)

Assumption - Tarık Ötgen

A Brighter Word Than Bright - Belkıs Bayrak (Turkey/Kosovo)
Producers: Belkıs Bayrak, Murat Yaşar Bayrak (Saba Film), Valmira Hyseni

TRT Pre-Buy Award
Second Feature Film Project - Okan Açmak (Turkey/Germany)
Producers: Merve Sena Kılıç Haznevi (MOSES Film,19:30 Film ve Sanat), Bombay Film

All the Tired Horses - Burak Çevik (Turkey/Serbia/Croatia/France/Germany)
Producers: Burak Çevik (Fol Film), Stefan Ivancic, Vanja Vascarac, Guillaume de Seille, Marcos Kantis

An Accident - Ümit Köreken (Turkey/Germany)
Producers: Nursen Çetin Köreken (Drama Film Prodüksiyon), Silvana Santamaia (SoilFilms GMBH)