The 2nd International Disaster Film Festival, held in Ankara, brought to the forefront the societal and human dimensions of disasters through the medium of cinema, issuing a call for global solidarity. The festival, which received thousands of applications from 114 countries, concluded with the powerful message, ‘Disasters are not destiny.’
Climate Change at the Forefront of the Festival
This year’s International Disaster Film Festival, the second of its kind, utilized cinema to highlight the disasters caused by climate change and their profound societal impacts.
According to Sümer Taşkıran from Sonsöz Newspaper, the festival served as a platform for productions from various geographies, emphasizing global awareness, shared responsibility, and solidarity. It created a powerful space for confronting disasters through panels, film screenings, and interviews.
Festival Director Bıçak: “Our Aim is to Direct This Issue Towards Cinema”
Speaking to Sonsöz Newspaper, Festival Director Mehmet Serhat Bıçak stated that this year’s theme was climate change and its global dimension. “The theme of this year’s festival is climate change and its global dimension. We gathered to draw attention to this issue,” he said. Bıçak noted that the festival had been ongoing with various events since December 5th. “We want to create awareness and consciousness. But our main goal is to direct this issue towards cinema. That’s why we are here,” he explained.
Bıçak provided information on the event schedule: “On December 5th, we held a panel on climate and media. On December 11th, we organized a panel discussing trauma. On December 18-19th, we had our film screenings, and on December 20th, we held a talk with Master Director Derviş Zaim.”
Emphasizing that the festival would not be limited to Ankara, Bıçak stated, “We are preparing very special events to spread this festival throughout Turkey and the world.” He added that the feedback had been overwhelmingly positive. “Despite being only its second year, we are receiving very positive reactions. We are seeing interest from both cinema circles and a wide audience interested in these topics.” Regarding next year’s theme, Bıçak mentioned, “In parallel with the water congresses to be held in Turkey in 2026, we plan to address the theme of water next year.”
ANDA President Tosun: “Disasters Are Not Destiny”
Speaking at the awards ceremony, ANDA Association President Zeynep Tosun emphasized that the festival was not merely a cultural and artistic event. Tosun stated, “Today, we are not just opening a film festival. We are also opening the door to a powerful confrontation with humanity’s shared destiny and its relationship with this destiny.” Drawing attention to the causes of disasters, Tosun said, “Disasters are not merely natural phenomena. Disasters are the result of negligence, imbalances, and postponed responsibilities.”
Tosun noted that the festival had garnered global attention. “We received thousands of film applications from 114 countries around the world. This shows the universality of the issue and that cinema is still the common conscience of humanity.”
Tosun also touched upon the ANDA Association’s work in the field. “We are not an organization that only follows disasters through reports. We are a civil society organization that is in the field during earthquakes, floods, fires, and the hottest moments of humanitarian crises.” Emphasizing the power of cinema, Tosun said, “Sometimes a film is more effective than a report. A scene can be more lasting than a statistic. A story can change a society’s perspective.” Tosun concluded her speech with a powerful message: “Disasters are not destiny. Humanity has the power to change this course with the right will and common sense.”
You can read the more extensive and detailed version of this news in Sonsöz Newspaper.
