REGULATIONS (GENERAL)

16. TRT INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY AWARDS RULES AND TERMS 

1. SUBJECT AND PURPOSE

The TRT International Documentary Awards is an event organized to support amateur and professional documentary filmmakers, contribute to the development and dissemination of the documentary genre, ensure that diverse and high-quality documentaries from various countries reach audiences, and ultimately establish a platform where documentary filmmakers from around the world can meet and exchange ideas.

2. ORGANIZATION

The TRT International Documentary Awards are organized by the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (“TRT” and/or “the Corporation”), Turkey’s first and only public broadcasting institution.

3. CATEGORIES

3.1. The TRT International Documentary Awards are held in two main sections: National and International Categories. Participants/competitors complete and sign their application forms according to the category in which they wish to compete. A work can compete in only one category.

3.1.1. National Category: The National Category consists of two subcategories: “National Student Films” and “National Professional.” Participants must indicate in the application form which category they are applying for. The same participant may not compete in more than one category and/or subcategory, even with different works. The competition language of the National Category is Turkish. If documentaries submitted to the National Category contain languages other than Turkish, a copy dubbed or subtitled in Turkish must be submitted to TRT.

a. National Student Films Category: Only those who were students (producer or director) at the time of the film’s production may participate in this category. Participants must document this status at the time of application (with a student or graduation certificate). Since the aim of this category is to support amateur documentary filmmakers still studying, only those born after January 1, 1995 may participate. Documentaries submitted in this category must be between 15 and 60 minutes in length.

b. National Professional Category: Documentaries submitted to this category must be at least 20 minutes in length.

3.1.2. International Category: Documentaries submitted to the International Category must be at least 25 minutes in length. The competition language of the International Category is English. If the documentaries submitted are in languages other than English, a copy dubbed or subtitled in English must be submitted.

4. PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS

4.1. Only documentary productions may participate in the competition. TV programs, promotional films, etc., that are outside this genre, that lack artistic purpose, or cannot be evaluated within the scope of cinema art, will not be accepted.

4.2. Films that are entirely fictional, animated, etc., and that only include documentary sections to support the narrative cannot participate in the competition. However, films that are entirely documentaries but include fictional, experimental, animated, etc., sections to support the narrative—such as dramatic documentaries and documentary dramas—are eligible.

4.3. Documentaries shot in technical formats suitable for TV broadcast (mxf, mov, mpeg-2, mpeg-4 extensions, Full HD and 4K) can participate.

4.4. Only documentaries produced after January 1, 2024 may be submitted. Productions that have previously applied to the TRT International Documentary Awards cannot participate.

4.5. Apart from the TRT International Documentary Awards, having participated in and/or received awards from national or international competitions is not a barrier to participation in this competition. However, such participation must not prevent the transfer of rights set forth in Article 10 of this regulation. Finalists must sign the Participation Consent Form, which will be provided by TRT, and if a distributor company is involved, the director must also sign this form and deliver it to TRT. Award winners must sign and deliver to TRT the License Agreement and the Declaration of Transfer of Financial Rights, provided by TRT. Additionally, award winners must deliver the Authors’ Consent Form signed by all contributors to the work and, if a distributor company is involved, the relevant undertaking.

4.6. Documentaries produced as a “series” may participate in the competition with only one episode that has internal integrity.

4.7. Candidates may submit more than one documentary in the same category.

4.8. For participation in the National Category, candidates must be citizens of the Republic of Turkey. Citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) may also participate in this category.

4.9. Candidates are deemed to have accepted, declared, and undertaken that: their works comply with the applicable laws and legal regulations of the Republic of Turkey and the European Convention on Transfrontier Television; that their works are original and free from quotations or plagiarism from previously published or unpublished works; that their works comply with the Law on Intellectual and Artistic Works, the Law on the Establishment and Broadcasting Services of Radio and Television, the legislation of the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology, principles concerning the protection of consumers and competition, the standards of the Advertising Board, and other legislation; and that their works do not contain covert advertising. Documentaries that violate mandatory legal provisions, insult or propagate against any nation, country, political ideology, or religion, or promote/support violence, war, drug use, pornography, or glorify any form of fanaticism, or contain advertising elements, cannot participate in the competition and will not be evaluated if submitted.

4.10. Participants are deemed to have declared and undertaken that their documentary project files are free of copyright claims, and in cases where the documentary is based on a biography, adaptation, or any other issue that may involve third-party rights, this must be clearly indicated on the cover page of the submitted project file. The applicant undertakes to obtain all necessary permissions, licenses, and other legal documentation and accepts full responsibility for providing them. If requested by TRT, the participants must immediately present such documentation.

Members of RTÜK, the Chairman and Members of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, the Director General and Deputy Director Generals, individuals serving as full or alternate members of the Selection Committee, all TRT personnel related or unrelated to the competition, as well as their spouses, companies under their control, and first-degree relatives, cannot participate in the competition or contribute to any work submitted. Individuals who have left these positions cannot apply to the competition within five years of their resignation. If such cases are detected, the work will be disqualified. If an award has been granted, it will be revoked.

4.11. Documentaries produced or co-produced by TRT, or commissioned by TRT to external producers, cannot participate.

5. APPLICATIONS

5.1. The TRT International Documentary Awards is open to all documentaries that meet the participation conditions. Participation is free of charge.

5.2. Application and Pre-selection Process: Those wishing to participate may apply starting from August 20, 2025, until the deadline of October 3, 2025, at 18:00, via www.trtbelgesel.com or filmfreeway.com. To complete the application, applicants must fully complete the forms, read and approve the information notice, and upload their documentary films to the designated area or share downloadable links (with passwords if applicable).

5.3. Works to be uploaded must be: in Turkish audio or subtitled for the National Category; in English audio or subtitled for the International Category. For films in other languages without English subtitles, English .srt subtitle files must be attached to the application form. Works must be saved in TV broadcast-compatible formats: mxf, mov, mpeg-2, mpeg-4.

5.4. Those who fully complete and submit the application form are deemed to have accepted the participation conditions, Competition Regulations, and information notice.

5.5. Finalist works, if delivered in person or by cargo, must be sent to Turkish Radio and Television Corporation, (Inhouse Productions Department, TRT International Documentary Awards, H Block 105) Turan Güneş Boulevard, 06550 OR-AN ANKARA / TURKEY. Applications made after October 3, 2025, or posted after that date, will not be considered. TRT is not responsible for postal delays. The official email addresses of the Festival are: doc@trt.net.tr for the International Category, and belgesel@trt.net.tr for National Categories.

5.6. Pre-selection results will be announced on October 10, 2025.

5.7. Competition Process: Documentaries that qualify as finalists must deliver the following by October 17, 2025.

6. EVALUATION

6.1. Pre-selection Committee and Working Conditions:

6.1.1. The Pre-selection Committee shall consist of at least five (5) members. Committee members include representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, professional associations, academics, sector representatives, and TRT representatives. With the approval of the TRT International Documentary Awards Organizing and Executive Committee, the number of members evaluating applications by category may be increased.

6.1.2. The Pre-selection Committee evaluates and eliminates the works submitted to the competition in terms of compliance with the regulations, technical quality, aesthetics, creativity, and category selection.

6.1.3. The Pre-selection Committee submits its decisions in written, reasoned, and signed form to the Organizing and Executive Committee.

6.1.4. The Organizing and Executive Committee reserves the right to exclude from evaluation any works with missing documents or materials.

6.2. Selection Committees and Working Conditions:

6.2.1. The Selection Committees shall consist of at least five (5) members for each of the three categories: National Student Films, National Professional, and International Category. Members of the Selection Committees are chosen by the TRT International Documentary Awards Organizing and Executive Committee from among filmmakers from Turkey and abroad, academics specializing in cinema, film critics, members of cinema-related organizations, television professionals, film festival organizers, and other respected individuals whose perspectives on cinema are considered valuable, even if they specialize in different fields.

6.2.2. Individuals who have participated in the production of any of the films submitted to the competition in any capacity cannot serve as Selection Committee members.

6.2.3. The Organizing and Executive Committee shall appoint a non-voting observer to Selection Committee meetings. The observer may contribute to resolving procedural issues.

6.2.4. Before starting to watch the films, the Selection Committees shall hold an initial meeting together with a representative of the Organizing and Executive Committee. During this meeting, they will be provided with information about the TRT Documentary Awards. Afterwards, the Selection Committees determine their own working methods.

6.2.5. Members of the Selection Committees are obliged to watch all the films.

6.2.6. The Selection Committees shall make their decisions regarding awards by considering the creativity and artistic qualities of the films.

6.2.7. Decisions of the Selection Committees shall be taken by simple majority. All voting procedures are conducted secretly.

6.2.8. The working language of the Selection Committees is Turkish for the National Category and English for the International Category.

6.2.9. Each member of the Selection Committees has only one vote.

6.2.10. The Selection Committees shall determine, from among the films accepted into the competition, the films that will receive awards in each category. If there is no work deemed worthy of an award in any category, the Committee is not obliged to grant an award. If two films are found deserving of the same award, the award may be shared between them. Awards may also be presented in the name of organizations and individuals contributing to the TRT International Documentary Awards.

6.2.11. The Selection Committees must submit their decisions, in written, reasoned, and signed form, to the Organizing and Executive Committee of the TRT International Documentary Awards before the official announcement date of the results. Participants have no right to object to the results.

7. ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS

The results will be officially announced at an Award Ceremony on November 9, 2025.

8. AWARDS

  • National Student Films Category:
    • Best Documentary Film: 125,000 ₺
    • Second Prize: 100,000 ₺
    • Third Prize: 75,000 ₺
  • National Professional Category:
    • Best Documentary Film: 250,000 ₺
    • Second Prize: 175,000 ₺
    • Third Prize: 125,000 ₺
  • International Category:
    • Best Documentary Film: €8,000
    • Second Prize: €6,000
    • Third Prize: €4,000

9. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

9.1. For documentaries awarded in the National Categories: The television broadcasting rights on the TRT Documentary channel, the simultaneous broadcasting rights via satellite and terrestrial methods in all forms (open, encrypted, paid, etc.), and the public communication rights are transferred to TRT non-exclusively for Turkey, under a simple license, and with sublicensing rights. The transfer covers a duration of 1 (one) year, with 2 (two) broadcasts, and additionally 2 (two) screenings at the TRT International Documentary Film Festival. The license period begins once the Declaration of Transfer of Financial Rights and the License Agreement are signed, and the prize amount is transferred to the awardee’s account. TRT may use the aforementioned broadcasting and communication rights across all TRT media platforms, including the TRT Documentary channel, TRT websites, VOD platforms, and social media accounts, in Turkish, English, and other dubbed or subtitled languages. TRT may also use all visual and printed promotional materials of the awarded films, including trailers, without limitation, on its own media platforms.

9.2. For documentaries awarded in the International Category: Provided that they are dubbed or subtitled into Turkish, the television broadcasting rights on the TRT Documentary channel, the simultaneous broadcasting rights via satellite and terrestrial methods in all forms (open, encrypted, paid, etc.), and the public communication rights are transferred to TRT non-exclusively for Turkey, under a simple license, and with sublicensing rights. The transfer covers a duration of 1 (one) year, with 2 (two) broadcasts, and additionally 2 (two) screenings at the TRT International Documentary Film Festival. The license period begins once the Declaration of Transfer of Financial Rights and the License Agreement are signed, and the prize amount is transferred to the awardee’s account. TRT may use the aforementioned broadcasting and communication rights across all TRT media platforms, including the TRT Documentary channel, TRT websites, VOD platforms, and social media accounts, in Turkish, English, and other dubbed or subtitled languages. TRT may also use all visual and printed promotional materials of the awarded films, including trailers, without limitation, on its own media platforms.

9.3. Participants declare and undertake that their works are original; that they do not infringe upon the copyrights or other rights of third parties; that they have obtained the necessary permissions from the authors, professional associations, and related rights holders of all works used in their documentaries; that if awarded, they are authorized to transfer these rights to TRT; that all rights belong to them, free from third-party claims; that the work does not infringe any rights, especially copyrights, of any third party; that no disputes exist regarding the work; and that TRT will be indemnified against any claims arising from the use of these rights. Participants also declare that any compensations or other legal sanctions demanded by individuals involved in or providing services for their works shall be their sole responsibility. They further undertake that they will not sell, transfer, or donate the awarded work to any other organization or person during the license period, and that otherwise they will bear all legal, administrative, penal, and financial liabilities, compensate TRT for any damages, and acknowledge that triple compensation and penalties may be applied under Law No. 5846 on Intellectual and Artistic Works.

9.4. Participants whose works are awarded must, prior to the prize delivery, provide TRT with documents proving the transfer of rights foreseen in these regulations (the Declaration of Transfer of Financial Rights provided by TRT). They must also obtain and deliver original signed documents from the director, dialogue writer, original music composer, and if applicable, the scriptwriter or animator, or from any entity to whom these rights were previously transferred. In cases involving distributors, the relevant undertaking must also be provided, together with other materials requested by TRT for broadcasting and the signed License Agreement.

9.5. For all awarded documentaries, including those receiving special or additional awards, no additional payment will be made beyond the prize for the use of rights transferred to TRT. Award winners must deliver the Declaration of Transfer of Financial Rights, License Agreement, and, if applicable, distributor undertaking to TRT before prize delivery.

9.6. If not already submitted, participants whose works are awarded must provide TRT with a broadcast copy meeting the technical specifications requested by TRT, including separate music-effect and sound tracks (with enter tracks), together with the work’s script and promotional materials.

9.7. Participants acknowledge and accept that they cannot be entitled to receive an award without signing the Participation Consent Form attached to these regulations (or, in the case of distributor participation, the consent form signed by the director), and that if awarded, they cannot claim the prize without signing and delivering to TRT the Declaration of Transfer of Financial Rights, License Agreement, and other required documents, as well as the distributor undertaking if applicable.

10. PRIZE PAYMENTS

The prize amounts will be paid by TRT after the delivery of the documents and materials specified in Article 9 of these regulations, which the awardee is obliged to provide, including the Authors’ Consent Forms, the License Agreement, and the Declaration of Transfer of Financial Rights signed by all relevant parties. Payment will be made only after the completion of these requirements and after TRT has made the necessary legal deductions.

If the director has transferred the rights stipulated to be transferred under this contract to another person or entity (distributor) and participation in the competition has been made through the distributor, then, provided that a consent form is also obtained from the director and submitted to TRT if the work reaches the finals, the prize amount shall be paid to the distributor. The distributor is obliged to pay 50% of the prize to the director(s). In order for the prize payment to be made, the distributor must provide a written undertaking that it will pay 50% of the prize amount to the director(s), and that if TRT is required to make any payment to third parties under this arrangement, TRT will have recourse against the distributor. In this case, neither the distributor nor the director(s) may make any additional claims against TRT. If such an undertaking is not provided, the prize payment will not be made.

Without prejudice to the time limits specified in other articles concerning the delivery of documents, all documents and materials requested by TRT must be delivered to TRT within a maximum of six (6) months from the date the results are officially announced, in order for the payment to be processed. Participants are obliged to submit all the documents required by TRT to enable the prize payment.

If both the rights holder company and the director agree, and provided that the director consents and the company gives a written undertaking that it will pay the prize to the director, TRT may make the full payment solely to the company. In this case, no claims may be made against TRT.

If the undertakings are not fulfilled, if the information provided in the application form is found to be inaccurate, or if any violation of these regulations is identified by TRT, the payment will not be made; if a payment has already been made, it shall be recovered with legal interest. The participant accepts and undertakes this obligation.

11. GENERAL CONDITIONS

11.1. Applications that do not comply with the conditions may be eliminated by the TRT International Documentary Awards Organizing and Executive Committee, the Pre-selection Committee, or the relevant Selection Committee.

11.2. Co-productions are accepted into the competition on behalf of the submitting organization, and the applicant guarantees that the other co-producers have approved this participation.

11.3. It is mandatory to indicate the co-producers in the application form.

11.4. All costs arising from participation in the competition, including cargo, customs, freight, and insurance expenses, shall be borne by the participant.

11.5. The TRT International Documentary Awards Organizing and Executive Committee may organize cultural screenings, in Turkey and abroad, of all or part of the documentaries that pass the pre-selection, in different languages, in designated cities and venues.

11.6. The accuracy of all information provided in the application form is binding on the applicant. The Organizing and Executive Committee of the TRT International Documentary Awards is not obliged to verify the accuracy of the information in the application form. Legal responsibility for any consequences arising from this information rests with the applicant. The festival team reserves the right to make necessary editorial changes to the texts submitted during application.

11.7. Materials sent to TRT for pre-selection will not be returned. Copies of the documentaries that pass pre-selection (except for those that win awards) will be returned at TRT’s expense to the address written in the application form, provided that the applicant requested their return in the form.

11.8. TRT has the right to use and broadcast up to 3 (three) minutes of excerpts from the submitted works—produced through editing, cutting, shortening, or segmentation—for promotional purposes of the competition, both on TRT’s TV channels, VOD platforms, mobile applications, websites, social media accounts, and other media, as well as on other TV channels and media outlets in Turkey.

11.9. Any visual materials submitted to TRT for participation in the competition may be published/used in printed media, on the internet, and in all other media for promotional purposes of the competition, without payment to the rightsholder.

11.10. The broadcast of award-winning documentaries is subject to TRT’s broadcasting legislation and RTÜK broadcasting principles.

11.11. The application form must be signed by the copyright holder of the documentary film and/or its Director(s).

11.12. The conditions in these regulations are written in Turkish and translated into English. In the event of any inconsistency between the two texts, the Turkish version shall prevail.

11.13. In matters not specified in these regulations, and in the case that the number of participants does not reach a certain threshold, the sole authority to decide whether or not to proceed with the evaluation rests exclusively with TRT.

11.14. TRT reserves the exclusive and unilateral right to make any changes to these regulations.

11.15. The applicant accepts and declares that, if their film qualifies as a finalist, all notifications regarding the results sent to the email address provided in the application form will be considered official notification.

11.16. Participants are deemed to have accepted these conditions.

11.17. In the settlement of disputes arising from the implementation of these regulations, the Ankara Central Courts and Enforcement Offices shall have jurisdiction.