Girne in Northern Cyprus is excited to host the Golden Island International Film Festival from November 6th to 13th, showcasing films from around the world. The opening night will feature the film “Balık (Fish)” by Turkish Cypriot director Derviş Zaim, with esteemed patrons Baroness Meral Hussein-Ece and actor Tamer Hassan in attendance. The festival is a collaborative effort between UK-based Balik Arts, the local Golden Island Culture and Arts Association, and is sponsored by Creditwest Bank and GAU.
What is the Golden Island International Film Festival?
The Golden Island International Film Festival (GIFF) is an annual event held in Girne, Northern Cyprus, showcasing a diverse selection of films from around the world. The festival is organized by UK-based Balik Arts and the local Golden Island Culture and Arts Association, and sponsored by Creditwest Bank and GAU.
Girne, a picturesque city in Northern Cyprus, is gearing up to host the inaugural Golden Island International Film Festival (GIFF). The event will take place from November 6th to 13th, and will feature a diverse selection of films from around the world.
Opening Night with Derviş Zaim’s “Balık (Fish)”
The highly anticipated opening night will be held at Girne American University, where Turkish Cypriot director Derviş Zaim’s film, “Balık (Fish),” is set to premiere. Esteemed patrons Baroness Meral Hussein-Ece and London actor Tamer Hassan will be in attendance, along with guest actors Demet Akbag and Erdal Özyagcilar. During the opening gala, the first GIFF Honorary Cinema Awards will be presented to Mr. Zaim and the film’s stars, Bülent Inal and Sanem Celik.
According to festival director Yesim Güzelpinar, it is fitting that Cyprus’s new international film festival opens with one of its most acclaimed directors, Derviş Zaim. The film “Balık” deals with strained bonds between humans and nature, and serves as a cautionary tale for those who disrespect the environment.
A Collaborative Effort
The Creditwest Bank- and GAU-sponsored festival is organized by UK-based Balik Arts and the local Golden Island Culture and Arts Association. The full festival program will be released at the end of the month, and films will be screened in the capital and its buffer zone, Gazi Magusa, and Girne. Venues include the Goethe Institute, GAU, Eastern Mediterranean University, and Lemar cinemas.
New Film Festival Launched
The Golden Island International Film Festival was officially launched in Nicosia in May, with a press conference featuring festival director Yesim Güzelpinar, British-Cypriot actor Tamer Hassan, Baroness Meral Ece-Hussein, and Neil McCartney from the Independent Film Trust. The event is organized by British-based charity Balik Arts and financially supported by the Altinbas Group through Credit West Bank, the festival’s main sponsor.
Filmmakers from around the world can submit their work to GIIFF online. The deadline for submissions is July 31st, 2014. Cypriot filmmakers can also participate in GIIFF’s film competition, with cash prizes of €2,000 for the winners. There are two categories: Best Short Fiction (up to 20 minutes) and Best Documentary (any length), as well as individual prizes for Best Newcomers in each category.
Lessons Learned
The Golden Island International Film Festival was launched to showcase films from around the world and promote the local culture and arts of Girne, Northern Cyprus. It was a collaborative effort between UK-based Balik Arts, the local Golden Island Culture and Arts Association and was sponsored by Creditwest Bank and GAU. The festival was a great success with esteemed patrons, actors, and directors in attendance. The festival’s opening night was highly anticipated, and it was held at Girne American University, where Derviş Zaim’s film, “Balık (Fish),” premiered.
The festival organizers and sponsors learned that film festivals can be used to showcase local culture and art and how film can be used to address environmental issues. They also learned that festivals can be great platforms for introducing emerging filmmakers, actors, and directors to the world by offering them cash prizes and recognition. It is a great way to bring people from different parts of the world together to share their stories and celebrate their cultures. The success of the festival has shown that it is possible to organize events that promote culture and arts, bring people together, and create opportunities for emerging artists.
