Turkish director wins the grand prize at ITFF in Maldives, most awards to Russia!

Turkish director Daghan Celayir has won the grand prize at the first International Tourism Film Festival held in Maldives.

The ITFF titled “Following the Equator” was held from July 10 – 12 at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives.

The awarding ceremony was held on Tuesday night at the resort’s breathtaking Islander’s Grill Beach.

An award winner of the ITFF in Maldives, 2016. Sun photo: Nail

Turkish director Daghan Celayir’s “Home of the Turquoise” – a short film about the life of a female kite surfer, made for Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

He was given the trophy by Managing Director and Chairman of Sun Siyam Group, and the

President of the ITFF – Ahmed Siyam Mohamed.

More than 200 films from 15 countries – including Maldives – were submitted to the festival, out of which 46 films were nominated.

Awards were given for the best film from 10 categories.

Celebrations at end of the ITFF in Maldives 2016. Sun photo: Nail

Russian films won the best film award in four categories.

In addition to “Home of Turquoise” which was chosen the best sports film, other Russian films which won awards are:

• Treasure Island by Yangirova Anastasia Valeryevna – chosen the best film about pilgrimage

• Vandal Tribe by Serghey Shutyi – chosen the best environmental film

• Saint-Petersburg Fantasy by Saint Petersburg Tourist Information Bureau - chosen best film about a unique tourist site

Award winners of the ITFF in Maldives, 2016. Sun photo: Nail

Croatian films won the best film award in two categories. They are:

• Color Your Christmas with Zagreb by Marko Vrdoljak - which tied as the best film about a unique tourist site

• Dubrovnik and Time by Hervé Tirmarche for Dubrovnik Tourist Board – which was chosen the best cognitive film.

Austrian film “Back to your own time. Holidays in Austria” by Johannes Grebert for Austrian National Tourist Office was chosen the best tourism film, Kirghizia film “One Wheel Cappadocia” by Sergey Gudzlovenko was chosen the best clip, Greek film “Heraklion - Where the Thread of History Begins” by Indigo View was chosen the best adventure film, and

Serbian film “Danube In Serbia” was chosen the best ethnographic film.

Invitees of the ITFF in Maldives 2016 with Sun Siyam. Sun photo: Nail

They won a 3-night all-expense paid stay either The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives, Olhuveli Resort & Spa Maldives, Sun Aqua Vilu Reef Maldives, Sun Aqua Passikudah Sri Lanka or the upcoming 500+ villa property The Sun Siyam World in Maldives.

Certificates were also given to producers and directors of four films in recognition of their exceptional work in creating the films.

They are:

• Jose Manuel Garcia Alvarez and Asociacion Casa de Rusia a Catalunya’s Spanish film “Dolly Doctor” - chosen the best animation.

• Vitaliy Shmatchenko’s Russian film “The Path to Autumn” – chosen the best clip.

• José Lemos and CCDR-N/Farol de Ideias’s Portugese film “Norte Region of Portugal – a Unique Region” – chosen the best tourism film.

• Agnieszka Pajak and Georg van der Weyden’s Polish film “Poland’s Riviera” – chosen best tourism film.

Invitees of the ITFF in Maldives 2016 with Sun Siyam. Sun photo: Nail

And lastly, Mr. Skero from Montenegro’s video “Don’t Let This Be Sour Destiny” was chosen the best social media film.

Skero said that it took him one month to make the 20-second video.

He was given a 5-night all-inclusive holiday package – including two-way local and international airway tickets - at any villa of choosing at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi.