15th TRT International Documentary Awards Begin: Actor Liam Cunningham is the Festival’s Special Guest

The TRT International Documentary Awards, organized for the fifteenth time this year under the motto “So Far Yet So Close,” aim to draw attention to the chaos in the world, the threats of war, and the unfolding humanitarian tragedy—especially in Gaza. The program, featuring Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, Tokyo Docs founding member Ken-ichi Imamura, director Semih Kaplanoğlu, and Palestinian filmmakers, will take place from December 12 to 15 at Istanbul Fişekhane.

Irish actor and activist Liam Cunningham called for a ceasefire in Gaza, stating, “Silence is not an option. There is injustice; people are being bombed with tons of explosives…” Known for his role as Davos Seaworth in Game of Thrones, Cunningham has been active on social media since October 7 to raise awareness about the events in Gaza and has participated in protests opposing Israeli oppression to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Recently attending the 15th TRT International Documentary Awards in Istanbul, Cunningham delivered a speech titled “Call for Humanity” and spoke with Anadolu Agency (AA).

Cunningham shared that during his childhood, he witnessed his father, a laborer, being mistreated by employers, which motivated him to always speak out against injustice.

“Silence is not an option; I have to raise my voice,” he emphasized.

Noting that his role in Game of Thrones has earned him a significant social media following, Cunningham said he has proven he will not remain silent in the face of injustice:

“I could have led a very easy life—enjoying success, fame, and all its benefits—but my conscience wouldn’t allow it.”

He also addressed questions about whether his advocacy for Palestinian rights has led to discrimination against him in the arts:

“Silence is not an option; I have to raise my voice. There is injustice, and people are being bombed with tons of explosives. If I cared more about my career than the harm inflicted on these beautiful people, that wouldn’t say much about my humanity. I speak out not because I want to, but because I have to.”

Reflecting on Ireland’s history under British rule for over 700 years, where millions died of starvation, Cunningham said:

“This is why the occupation sickens me. It involves racial discrimination, crimes against humanity, and, as we see now in Gaza, genocide.”

“What disturbs me most is the lack of courage in those who remain silent.”

The Irish actor vowed never to back down from speaking against injustice:

“Are they going to shoot me in the street for raising my voice? They have no real power. The only power they have is what we give them. There’s an old saying: a king is only king as long as the people see him as king. When they stop seeing him as king, he’s done. Look at Nicolae Ceaușescu in Romania—once practically a god, but in the end, shot dead in a garden with his wife. These people are insignificant, as long as the people are united. What disturbs me most is the cowardice of those who stay silent, and the people who watch the news and say, ‘How terrible!’ and then switch to cooking shows. Those are the ones who disappoint me. They’re afraid of fear itself.”

The veteran actor also stated he is not afraid to criticize anyone:

“You know the saying, ‘If you want to know who controls you, find out who you are not allowed to criticize.’ I don’t think anyone is above criticism. We’re all the same underneath. I haven’t given power to any of these people. I’m a huge fan of democracy. But without tolerance, mutual respect, and respect for people’s beliefs—no matter what they believe or even if they believe in nothing at all—it cannot work. Only through this can we understand each other. Anything else leads to problems, which can escalate into violence.”

“Please, raise your voices; these murders must stop.”

Cunningham also spoke about his participation in the documentary I See Gaza, which highlighted global protests against Israel’s genocidal war in the Gaza Strip:

“I probably shouldn’t say this, but documentaries are far more important than what I do. I’ve made a few documentaries myself. Documentaries lift the veil on the world you think you know. They hold up a mirror to society, revealing what it really looks like. I think this was one of the things I did well in Game of Thrones: holding up a mirror to society and showing what power and greed are capable of. It’s sad that we have to show these documentaries just to prove that we’re all human—that Gazans are human beings like us.”

He criticized mainstream Western media for failing to accurately report the events, calling the situation a farce:

“I’ve always found it strange that people ask me what’s happening in the world or in Gaza. Actors or comedians shouldn’t be making these assessments—the media should. I find it shocking that the rich who own the press decide which stories get published. I wonder where the backbone of the media has gone.”

Calling again for a ceasefire, Cunningham said:

“If you haven’t raised your voices yet, please do. These murders must stop. If people don’t stand up and say ‘Enough is enough,’ things will only get worse.”

“It’s wonderful to be welcomed in a country you’ve never visited before.”

Reflecting on the TRT International Documentary Awards, Cunningham called the event invaluable, emphasizing that storytelling—whether in documentaries, films, theater, or television—is a powerful tool for exposing injustice.

He highlighted the importance of philosophers in storytelling, noting that Rumi’s words have traveled the world with more impact than any emperor or military leader, becoming immortal through his legacy.

The acclaimed actor, who expressed surprise at the many kind messages from fans in Türkiye, said:

“I’m amazed at how many fans I have. I didn’t realize it until I came to Türkiye. So many people came up to say hello. It’s amazing to be welcomed in a country you’ve never visited before—I loved it.”

“I would love to make a film in Türkiye”

Although Cunningham admitted his Turkish skills aren’t sufficient to work on a project there, he added:

“I can’t speak it, but if a producer wants me and it’s an interesting role… I’m very selective about what I say yes to, so I usually say no nine times before I say yes. When I do say yes, I put most of my energy into it. It’s hard to say yes, but if something interesting comes along, I jump at it. I’d love to come back and make a film in Türkiye. It’s historic and cosmopolitan. Istanbul is where Europe meets Asia. It’s unique, it’s wonderful. I want to explore and see the historical sites. There’s so much I want to discover.”

Offering advice to young actors, Cunningham said:

“Follow your heart, not your head. Tell stories—that’s what we do. We are the greatest storytellers. Looking at history, we don’t remember the person who turned 20 million into 100 million. We remember the beautiful buildings, the whirling dervishes, our culture, our writings, our architecture, our people—each and every one. The history of a country is incredible, and that’s what endures. Everything else is forgotten. Nobody cares if you own a private jet or a glass building with an office on top. But beautiful poems, architecture, articles, plays, books, and the stories of your people—that’s immortality. These are the stories you must tell.”

The event, held under the motto “So Far Yet So Close,” seeks to highlight global chaos, war threats, and humanitarian crises, particularly in Gaza. Celebrating its 15th edition—the Crystal Anniversary—the festival enriches the documentary scene in Türkiye and worldwide, supporting both professional and amateur documentarians.

As part of the 15th TRT International Documentary Awards, a special selection of prestigious documentaries from major festivals around the world, alongside films addressing Palestinian issues, will be showcased to audiences. The four-day event also includes masterclasses with leading directors, talks, panels, and workshops focusing on the present and future of documentary filmmaking.