Turkish cinema gathers under roof of Yeşilçam Film Academy

ISTANBUL

The Turkish cinema industry Jan. 13 publicly launched the Yeşilçam Film Academy (YEFA), inspired by the cinema academies in Europe and the U.S.

“As the creators of the cinema sector we want to give our own awards. Also, we want to be involved in all decisions taken for cinema,” actor Memet Ali Alabora said in a written statement, adding that Yeşilçam was not an abstract concept but expressed the accumulation of Turkish cinema culture.

The academy was founded under the leadership of the Alliance of Cinema Labor Unions, established by eight cinema unions in 2010. Yeşilçam will be open to all involved in the cinema industry, including cinema professional unions, associations, actors, scriptwriters, directors, producers, artists and editors.
The academy will give Turkey’s cinema awards like the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that gives Oscars.

These awards will not replace the Yeşilçam Awards, presented every year by the Turkish Foundation of Cinema and Audiovisual Culture (TÜRSAK). On the contrary, the awards will be an alternative to Yeşilçam Awards.