SPECIFICATIONS (GENERAL)

 

17. TRT INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY AWARDS SPECIFICATIONS

 

1. SUBJECT AND PURPOSE

The TRT International Documentary Awards is an event organized to support amateur and professional documentary filmmakers, contribute to the development and dissemination of the documentary genre, ensure that various and high-quality documentary films from different countries meet the audience, and in the long run, create a platform where documentary filmmakers from all over the world can meet and exchange ideas.

 

2. ORGANIZATION

The TRT International Documentary Awards is organized by the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation ("TRT" and/or "the Corporation"), Turkey's first and only public broadcasting organization.

 

3. CATEGORIES

3.1. The TRT International Documentary Awards is held in two main sections: National and International categories. Participants/competitors fill out and sign the application forms according to the category they will compete in. The same work can only compete in a single category.

3.1.1. National Category: The National Category is held in two sub-categories: "National Student Films" and "National Professional." Participants specify which category they will compete in on the application form. The same participant cannot compete in more than one category and/or sub-category, even with different works. The language of the National Category competition is Turkish. If the documentaries participating in the National Category contain languages other than Turkish, a copy dubbed or subtitled in Turkish must be submitted to TRT.

1. National Student Films Category: Only those who were students at the time of production (producer or director) can participate in this category. Participants will document this status during application (with a student or graduation certificate). Since the purpose of this category is to support amateur documentary filmmakers continuing their education, those born after January 01, 2000, can participate. Documentary films participating in the National Student Films Category must be at least 15 and at most 60 minutes long.

2. National Professional Category: Documentary films participating in this category must be at least 20 minutes long.

3.1.2. International Category: Documentaries participating in the International Category must be at least 25 minutes long. The language of the International Category competition is English. If the documentaries participating in the International Category are in languages other than English or contain different languages, a copy dubbed or subtitled in English must be submitted to the competition.

 

4. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

4.1. Only documentary productions can participate in the competition. Films such as TV programs, promotional films, etc., produced outside of this genre, which do not have artistic concerns and cannot be evaluated within the boundaries of cinematic art, will not be accepted.

4.2. Films that are entirely fiction, animation, etc., but contain documentary sections to support the narrative, cannot participate. However, dramatic documentaries and documentary dramas that are entirely documentaries but contain fiction, experimental, animation, etc., sections to support the narrative can participate.

4.3. Documentaries shot in a technical format suitable for TV broadcasting (mxf, mov, mpeg-2, mpeg-4 extensions, Full HD and 4K) can participate.

4.4. Documentaries produced after January 1, 2025, can participate. Productions that have previously applied to the TRT International Documentary Awards cannot participate in this competition.

4.5. Excluding the TRT International Documentary Awards, having participated in or received awards from national or international competitions previously is not an obstacle to participating in this competition. However, this participation must not hinder the transfer of rights stipulated in Article 10 of these specifications to TRT. Finalists will sign the Letter of Consent provided by TRT. If a distributor firm is participating, a Letter of Consent signed by the director must be submitted to TRT. Award winners will sign the License Agreement and the Declaration of Transfer of Financial Rights provided by TRT. Award winners will also submit the Consent of Rightsholders signed by the contributors and, if a distributor firm participated, a letter of undertaking to TRT.

4.6. Documentaries produced as a "Series" can participate with at most one episode that has internal integrity.

4.7. Candidates can participate in the same category with more than one documentary.

4.8. Participants in the National Category must be citizens of the Republic of Turkey. Citizens of the TRNC can also compete in this category.

4.9. Candidates are deemed to have accepted and committed that they will comply with the laws and legal regulations in force in the Republic of Turkey and the European Convention on Transfrontier Television; the works will be original and not contain quotes or plagiarism from other previously disclosed or undisclosed works; they will not violate the Law on Intellectual and Artistic Works, the Law on the Establishment and Broadcast Services of Radio and Televisions, the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology legislation, principles regarding Consumer and Competition Protection, Advertising Board norms, and other legislation; and will not contain hidden advertising. Documentary films that violate the law and legislation, or insult or propagate against any nation, country, political thought, or religion; documentaries that encourage or support violence, war, drug use, or pornography; documentaries that praise any form of fanaticism or contain advertising elements cannot participate. They will not be evaluated if they do participate.

4.10. Participants are deemed to have declared and committed that the documentary project files are free of all copyrights; if the documentary contains biography, adaptation, or other matters where third parties could claim rights, these matters will be clearly stated on the cover page of the submitted documentary project files. In this context, the applicant accepts and undertakes to perform all copyright, legal permission, and other legal procedures, and that the provision of necessary legal documents is their own responsibility. Participants are deemed to have declared and committed that they will immediately present such documents if requested by TRT.

RTÜK members, the Chairman and Members of the TRT Board of Directors, the General Manager and Deputy General Managers for the duration of their duties at the Corporation, those assigned as permanent or substitute members in the Selection Committee related to the competition, and all TRT personnel involved or not involved in the organization of the competition, their spouses, and companies they control; their first-degree relatives and kin cannot participate in the competition and cannot contribute or assist in the realization phase of the works. They cannot apply for the competition within five years from the date they leave their duties. If such situations are detected, the work will be disqualified. If an award has been given, it will be reclaimed.

4.11. Documentaries produced or co-produced by TRT, or documentaries commissioned by TRT to external parties, cannot participate in the competition.

 

5. APPLICATIONS

5.1. The TRT International Documentary Awards is open to all documentaries that meet the participation conditions. Participation is free of charge.

5.2. Application and Preliminary Elimination Process: Those who wish to participate can submit their applications via www.trtbelgesel.com or filmfreeway.com starting from January 9, 2026, until 18:00 on April 3, 2026, which is the deadline for preliminary elimination. For the application to be completed, the application forms must be filled out completely, the clarification text read and approved, and the documentary films uploaded to the relevant area or shared with downloadable links (along with the password, if any).

5.3. Works to be uploaded must have Turkish audio or subtitles for the National Category, and English audio or English subtitles for the International Category. For films in other languages without English subtitles, English .srt files must also be attached to the application form. Works must be recorded in mxf, mov, mpeg 2, or mpeg 4 extensions suitable for TV broadcast format.

5.4. Those who fill out the application form completely and finish their application are deemed to have accepted the participation conditions, the Competition Specifications, and the clarification text.

5.5. For submissions of finalist works by hand or cargo, they must be delivered to TRT General Directorate (Department of Internal Productions, TRT International Documentary Awards, Block H 105) Turan Güneş Bulvarı 06550 OR-AN ANKARA / TURKEY. Applications made or mailed/cargos sent after April 3, 2026, will not be considered. The Corporation is not responsible for delays in applications made by mail. The official e-mail addresses of the festival are doc@trt.net.tr for the International Category and belgesel@trt.net.tr for National Categories.

5.6. Preliminary elimination results will be announced on April 10, 2026.

5.7. Competition Process: For documentaries that qualify for the competition by reaching the finals;

5.7.1. For the National Category: 1 FULL HD copy in mov/mxf extension with Turkish audio (or Turkish subtitles for films not in Turkish) recorded on a portable memory or HD Cam tape; Turkish dialogue text, brief summary of the film, promotional trailer (preferably 30-60 seconds), at least two photographs from scenes of the work (minimum 300 dpi resolution in JPEG or TIFF format), a photograph of the participant (minimum 300 dpi resolution in JPEG or TIFF format), a short CV/filmography of the participant, promotional materials (posters, brochures, etc.), wet-signed letter of consent (if a distributor firm participated, a Letter of Consent signed by the director). For the International Category: 1 Full HD copy in mov/mxf extension with English subtitles or audio recorded on a portable memory or HD Cam tape; English dialogue text, brief summary of the film, promotional trailer (preferably 30-60 seconds), at least two photographs from scenes of the work (minimum 300 dpi resolution in JPEG or TIFF format), a photograph of the participant (minimum 300 dpi resolution in JPEG or TIFF format), a short CV/filmography of the participant, promotional materials (posters, brochures, etc.), wet-signed letter of consent (if a distributor firm participated, a Letter of Consent signed by the director).

These must be delivered by hand to the address specified above by May 1, 2026, at the latest, or sent by mail or cargo on that date, or if the file is uploaded to a website, the link and download password must be reported. Submitted copies must not contain commercial breaks. Finalists must deliver the original wet-signed Letter of Consent to be signed by the owner(s) or representatives (and the director-signed Letter of Consent if a distributor participated) to the Organizing and Executive Committee before the Selection Committee starts its work.

 

6. EVALUATION

6.1. Preliminary Elimination Committee and Working Conditions:

6.1.1. The Preliminary Elimination Committee consists of at least 5 (five) people. The committee members consist of a representative of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, professional union representatives, academics, industry and TRT representatives. With the approval of the Organizing and Executive Committee, the number of members can be increased.

6.1.2. The Preliminary Elimination Committee evaluates and eliminates works based on compliance with specifications, technical, aesthetic, and creative aspects, and category choices.

6.1.3. The Preliminary Elimination Committee submits its decisions in writing, with justification and signatures, to the Organizing and Executive Committee.

6.1.4. The Organizing and Executive Committee has the right to exclude works with missing documents or materials from evaluation.

6.2. Selection Committees and Working Conditions:

6.2.1. Selection Committees consist of at least 5 members each for a total of 3 categories: National Student Films, National Professional, and International Category. Members are selected by the Organizing and Executive Committee from among filmmakers from Turkey and the world, film academics, film critics, television professionals, festival organizers, and esteemed individuals whose perspective on cinema is valued.

6.2.2. Persons who have taken any role in the production of the films in the competition cannot be members of the Selection Committee.

6.2.3. The Organizing and Executive Committee includes an observer without voting rights in the Selection Committee meetings to assist in resolving procedural issues.

6.2.4. The Selection Committees hold their first meeting with an official member from the Organizing and Executive Committee before starting to watch the films.

6.2.5. Selection Committee members are obliged to watch all of the films.

6.2.6. Selection Committees make their decisions regarding the awards by considering the creativity and artistic qualities of the films.

6.2.7. Selection Committees make decisions by simple majority. All voting processes are secret.

6.2.8. The working language of the Selection Committees is Turkish for the National Category and English for the International Category.

6.2.9. Selection members have only one vote each.

6.2.10. Selection Committees determine the films to be awarded in each category. If there is no work of sufficient quality in any category, the committee is not obliged to give an award. If two films are selected for an award, the prize is shared. Awards can be given in the name of institutions or individuals contributing to the event.

6.2.11. Selection Committees submit their written, justified, and signed decisions to the Organizing and Executive Committee before the date results are announced. Participants have no right to appeal the results.

 

7. ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS

Results are officially announced with an Award Ceremony to be held on June 7, 2026.

 

8. AWARDS

8.1. The awards for National and International categories are as follows:

8.1.1. National Category:

1. a) National Student Films Category:

Best Documentary Film Award: ​​125,000 ₺ (One hundred twenty-five thousand Turkish Liras)​

Second Prize: ​​​​100,000 ₺ (One hundred thousand Turkish Liras)​

Third Prize: 75,000 ₺ (Seventy-five thousand Turkish Liras)​​

 

1. b) National Professional Category:

Best Documentary Film Award: ​​250,000 ₺ (Two hundred fifty thousand Turkish Liras)​

Second Prize: ​​​​175,000 ₺ (One hundred seventy-five thousand Turkish Liras)

Third Prize: ​​​125,000 ₺ (One hundred twenty-five thousand Turkish Liras)

 

8.1.2. International Category:

Best Documentary Film Award: ​​8,000 € (Eight thousand Euros)​

Second Prize: ​​​​6,000 € (Six thousand Euros)

Third Prize​​: 4,000 € (Four thousand Euros)

 

8.2. Subject to Article 6.2.10, Selection Committees cannot grant awards in types or numbers other than those specified here. However, entities wishing to grant special additional awards must apply to the Organizing and Executive Committee for approval.

8.3. The purpose of additional awards is reported to and decided upon by the Organizing and Executive Committee.

8.4. If the broadcasting rights of a work have been purchased by TRT before the results are announced, and the work wins an award, the difference between the award amount and the license fee in the purchase contract is paid to the participant. If the contract fee is higher than the award, no additional payment is made.

 

9. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

9.1. For documentary films receiving awards in National Categories; the TV broadcasting rights, simultaneous broadcasting rights on all platforms, and public communication rights are transferred non-exclusively to TRT for 1 year and 2 screenings in Turkey. The license starts from the date the award is transferred to the account following the signing of necessary legal documents. TRT can use the work in all media in Turkish, English, and other languages.

9.2. For films in the International Category, the same rights apply provided that Turkish dubbing and/or subtitling is performed. TRT can use all visual and printed materials for promotional purposes without limitation.

9.3. Participants accept and commit that their works are original, do not violate 3rd party rights, and they have obtained all necessary permissions. They will hold TRT harmless from any claims arising from the use of these rights. Violations may result in triple compensation and penalties according to Law No. 5846.

9.4. Award winners must submit all necessary right transfer documents (signed by the director, writer, composer, etc.) to TRT before the award delivery.

9.5. No additional fee will be paid for the use of rights transferred to TRT, including for special and additional awards.

9.6. Winners must deliver the broadcasting copy with technical specifications requested by TRT (separate music-effects and voice tracks).

9.7. Participants acknowledge that they cannot receive awards without signing the Letter of Consent, Financial Rights Transfer Declaration, License Agreement, and other necessary documents.

 

10. AWARD AMOUNTS

Award amounts are paid after the delivery of documents/materials specified in Article 9 and following necessary legal deductions. If a distributor firm participates, the award is paid to the firm provided a director's consent is submitted. The distributor is obliged to pay 50% of the award to the director(s) and must provide a written undertaking regarding this. If documents are not delivered within 6 months of results being announced, or if information provided is incorrect, no payment is made; any payments made will be reclaimed with legal interest.

 

11. GENERAL CONDITIONS

11.1. Non-compliant applications may be eliminated by the relevant committees.

11.2. Co-productions are accepted in the name of the submitting organization, and participants guarantee that other co-producers have approved the entry.

11.3. Co-producers must be specified in the application form.

11.4. Costs for cargo, customs, freight, and insurance arising from participation belong to the participant.

11.5. The committee can screen finalist documentaries for cultural purposes in various cities and venues.

11.6. Accuracy of all info in the form is the applicant's responsibility. TRT has the right to make editorial changes to submitted texts.

11.7. Materials submitted for preliminary elimination are not returned. Copies of finalists (except winners) may be returned if requested in the form, with costs covered by TRT.

11.8. TRT has the right to broadcast up to 3-minute segments of works for promotional purposes on any media.

11.9. All visual materials submitted can be used for promotional purposes without payment.

11.10. Broadcasting award-winning films is subject to TRT and RTÜK regulations.

11.11. Forms must be signed by the financial rights holder and/or director(s).

11.12. If there is a conflict between the Turkish and English texts of these specifications, the Turkish text prevails.

11.13. TRT has exclusive authority over matters not determined here.

11.14. TRT reserves the right to make unilateral changes to these specifications.

11.15. Applicants accept e-mails as official notifications if their film becomes a finalist.

11.16. Participants are deemed to have accepted these conditions.

11.17. Ankara Courts and Enforcement Offices are authorized to resolve disputes.

Law on the Protection of Personal Data (LPPD / KVKK)

 

Regarding the TRT International Documentary Awards

Clarification Text within the Scope of the Law on the Protection of Personal Data

Dear TRT International Documentary Awards participant,

Welcome to the portal prepared for the TRT International Documentary Awards. From this page forward, we will need some of your personal data to get to know you better and to carry out the competition processes more successfully. Informing you regarding the data we will process is one of our most fundamental duties.

We process your personal data in accordance with the Law on the Protection of Personal Data No. 6698 ("KVKK"). Within this scope, the data we request from you are processed based on the following legal grounds:

• Your name, surname, T.R. identity number, passport information, and date of birth: "Data processing is necessary for the establishment, exercise, or protection of a right" and "Data processing is necessary for the legitimate interests of the data controller, provided that it does not harm the fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject," in order to verify your identity and ensure your participation in the competition.

• Your visual records (photograph): "Data processing is necessary for the establishment, exercise, or protection of a right" and "Presence of explicit consent," in order to verify your identity and ensure your participation in the competition.

• Your education level and professional information: "Data processing is necessary for the establishment, exercise, or protection of a right," in order to carry out the competition processes effectively.

• Your address, telephone, and electronic mail address: "Data processing is necessary for the establishment, exercise, or protection of a right" and "Data processing is necessary for the legitimate interests of the data controller, provided that it does not harm the fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject," in order to communicate with you.

• Your CV/Resume information: "Data processing is necessary for the legitimate interests of the data controller, provided that it does not harm the fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject," in order to get to know you better.

• Your work/entry information: "Data processing is necessary for the establishment, exercise, or protection of a right," in order to carry out the competition processes effectively.

We process all data through our site by automatic means via the portal. We may transfer the personal data we process to the software company from which we receive services to ensure the operation of the systems. Other than this, we do not share your personal data with unauthorized or unrelated third parties.

You may submit your requests within the scope of Article 11 of the KVKK, which regulates the "rights of the data subject," to us in accordance with the Communiqué on the Procedures and Principles of Application to the Data Controller.

Explicit Consent Text Regarding the TRT International Documentary Awards

I have read and understood the "Clarification Text Regarding the TRT Documentary Awards" prepared for the International Category / National Professional Category / National Student Films Category / Project Support Category within the scope of the TRT International Documentary Awards.

I give my explicit consent to the processing of my personal data for the purposes stated in the clarification text (getting to know the competitors better and conducting the competition process).

Applications have ended.