GORDION ARCHEOFILM FESTIVAL

INTERNATIONAL GORDION ARCHEOFILM FESTIVAL REGULATIONS

Four competition categories will be organized within the International Gordion Archeofilm Festival.

Competition Categories

• International Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Documentary Film Competition
Documentary films focusing on archaeology, anthropology, and cultural heritage may apply.

• National Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Student Film Competition
Student films on archaeology, anthropology, and cultural heritage may apply.

• “Time in Ankara” Young Filmmakers Short Film Competition
Short films about Ankara created by young filmmakers aged 16–30 may apply.

• “Time in Ankara” News Camerapersons Short Film Competition
Short films about Ankara produced by news camerapersons may apply.

Competition Schedule

March 16, 2026 – Festival announcement and opening of submissions
June 12, 2026 – Deadline for submissions
June 16, 2026 – Announcement of finalist films
September 24, 2026 – Opening ceremony – Student film screenings and talks
September 25, 2026 – Film screenings and talks
September 26, 2026 – Film screenings and talks
September 27, 2026 – Award ceremony and closing of the festival

Participation Conditions

International Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Documentary Film

and National Student Documentary Film Competitions

• Documentaries produced after January 2022 are eligible to apply.
• Members of the festival organization, preliminary jury, selection committee, and their first-degree relatives cannot participate.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
• For the student category, applicants must currently be enrolled in formal education. However, films made during their student period within the last three years are also eligible.
• Participation in the competition is free of charge.
• Applicants must specify the category in which they are applying.
• Each participant may submit only one film.
• Applications must be submitted by the director or producer. If there are multiple directors, the applicant must obtain written permission from the others and include it in the submission. The award will be given to the applicant. The festival committee, secretariat, and jury are not responsible for disputes regarding award sharing.
• Films must be produced in TV broadcast format (mxf, mov, mp4 etc.) and in Full HD or 4K resolution.
• Maximum duration:
  • 100 minutes for the Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Documentary Competition
  • 30 minutes for the Student Film Competition
• Promotional or tourism films made for commercial purposes will not be considered documentaries.
• Series or episodic documentaries are not eligible.
• All films must include English subtitles.
• Finalist films must submit SRT subtitle files.

“Time in Ankara” Short Film Competitions

• Films produced after January 2024 are eligible.
• Members of the festival organization, preliminary jury, selection committee, and their first-degree relatives cannot participate.
• The Young Filmmakers category is open to participants aged 16–30.
• The News Cameraperson category is open to news camerapersons, cinematographers, and freelance camera operators.
• Participation is free of charge.
• Applicants must specify the category during application.
• Each participant may submit up to two films.
• Applications must be submitted by the director or producer. If there are multiple directors, written permission from the others must be submitted. The award will be granted to the applicant.
• Films must be produced in TV broadcast format (mxf, mov, mp4 etc.) in Full HD or 4K.
• Film duration must be minimum 1 minute and maximum 5 minutes.
• Promotional or tourism films produced for commercial purposes will not be considered.
• Series or episodic productions are not eligible.

Only short films on the theme “Time in Ankara” may be submitted.

Applications

Participants may submit their films through:

• www.gordionfilmfest.org
• www.filmfreeway.com

Required Materials

Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Documentary Competitions

• Director’s biography (Turkish and English) and photo (300 dpi)
• Film synopsis (Turkish and English for domestic films; English for international films)
• At least five still images from the film (high resolution)
• Film poster (300 dpi) (may be submitted after pre-selection if not ready)
• Trailer up to 1 minute
• The festival secretariat may request additional information or documentation if necessary.
• Submitted materials will not be returned and will be archived by the festival.

“Time in Ankara” Short Film Competitions

• Director’s biography and photo (300 dpi)
• 100-word synopsis
• At least five still images from the film (high resolution)
• Film poster (300 dpi) (may be submitted after pre-selection if not ready)
• Trailer of 30–60 seconds
• The festival secretariat may request additional documents if necessary.
• Submitted materials will not be returned and will be archived.

Evaluation

• Films that do not meet the criteria will not be evaluated by the preliminary jury.
• The preliminary jury and selection committee are appointed by the Festival Committee and Secretariat.
• Jury members may include directors, film professionals, critics, producers, actors, artists, academics, and members of film-related organizations.
• The preliminary jury will select up to 10 films in each category and submit them to the selection committee.
• The selection committee determines the winners among the finalists.
• Jury decisions are final.
• Results of the preliminary evaluation will be announced on
  www.gordionfilmfest.org and communicated to applicants by email and phone.
• Films selected as finalists cannot withdraw from the competition.

Announcement of Results

Winning films will be announced at the award ceremony on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

Finalists are expected to attend the ceremony. If unable to attend, they must send a representative from the film crew.

Awards

International Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Documentary Film Competition
First Prize: 50,000 TL + Trophy

National Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Student Film Competition
First Prize: 30,000 TL + Trophy

“Time in Ankara” Young Filmmakers Short Film Competition
First Prize: 30,000 TL + Trophy

“Time in Ankara” News Camerapersons Short Film Competition
First Prize: 50,000 TL + Trophy

Institutions supporting the festival may also grant special awards.

Cash prizes will be paid by the Gordion Foundation within three months after the festival, following completion of the required documents and legal deductions.

General Conditions

• Shipping, customs, freight, and insurance costs related to participation are the responsibility of the applicant.
• Prize payments will be transferred to the bank account/IBAN declared in writing by the winners.
• If the required information is not submitted, the prize claim expires after one year.
• Participation in the competition implies acceptance of all regulations stated in this document.
• The Festival Committee reserves the right to make changes to these regulations.
• For domestic finalists, accommodation, meals, and travel expenses will be covered.
• For international finalists, accommodation and meals will be covered.

Copyright

• Films will be screened according to the schedule determined by the festival committee.
• No additional permission is required from producers for screenings during the festival.
• Applicants are responsible for the accuracy of all information provided in the submission form.
• Any copyright claims arising from non-original content (text, image, music etc.) are the responsibility of the applicant.
• No screening or participation fee will be paid.
• Excerpts from awarded films may be used in promotional materials and trailers of the festival.
• Finalist films in both “Time in Ankara” categories may be used for two years in Ankara-related events organized by the Gordion Foundation without additional payment.

Authority

• Even if not selected for competition, films may be included in special screenings with the permission of the producer.
• Film crews may be invited to the festival on dates determined by the Festival Secretariat.
• The Festival Committee reserves the right to remove films that do not meet technical or legal requirements.
• The Festival Committee has full authority over matters not specified in these regulations.
• By submitting a film, all contributors to the production are deemed to have accepted these rules.