17th TRT International Documentary Awards

The application process for the 17th TRT International Documentary Awards, organized by TRT to support amateur and professional documentary filmmakers, contribute to the development of the documentary genre, and bring documentaries from various countries to the audience, has been completed. Following the extension of the application period due to high interest, the competition received 100 applications in the National Professional Category, 107 in the National Student Films Category, and 167 in the Project Support Category. In the International Category, a significant success was achieved with 1,035 applications from 109 countries, reaching a total of 1,409 submissions. This high level of participation is an indicator of the interest in documentary cinema and the festival's strong position in the international arena.

 This year’s event, held with the motto “Be brave, leave a trace,” focuses on the determination and courage required to uncover and reveal the truth, to be the voice of those subjected to injustice, and to push the boundaries of the unknown. This motto also represents the unwavering perseverance of documentary filmmakers who defy nature's harshest conditions, pursue the unknown, and trace the truth. Believing that every documentary telling the story of humanity's deep pains, resistance, and the striking tales of the earth is a lasting trace left for the future, the festival will continue to provide space for brave stories this year. Because every powerful narrative enables us to understand the world better, inspires us, and becomes a light that carries hope for the future by opening doors to change.

With the completion of the application process for the festival, which values the transformative, thought-provoking, and inspiring power of documentaries, the preliminary elimination process has begun. Following the evaluations to be carried out by preliminary selection committees consisting of experts in their fields, the finalist documentaries and projects will be announced on April 17.

During the screening week to be held between June 4–7 as part of the festival—which enriches the documentary climate in Turkey and the world and supports professional and amateur documentary filmmakers—finalist and special selection documentary films will meet the audience. Additionally, masterclasses, talks, and workshops featuring expert documentary filmmakers will be open and free of charge to all participants.

Films that make it to the finals after the preliminary elimination will be evaluated by the selection committee during the screening week, and the winners will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held on June 7. This year, the festival excitement will once again take place at Taksim Grand Pera in June, as we welcome the summer. 

17th TRT International Documentary Awards

Organizing and Executive Committee