PROJECT SUPPORT CATEGORY REGULATIONS

1. SUBJECT AND PURPOSE

Within the scope of the TRT International Documentary Awards, a Project Support Category is organized. This competition aims to:

1.1. Contribute to the development of documentary filmmaking in Türkiye,

1.2. Support directors and producers planning to make documentaries,

1.3. Provide financial resources to directors and producers developing documentary projects.

2. ORGANIZATION

The Project Support Category is organized by the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (“TRT” and/or the “Corporation”), Türkiye’s first and only public broadcaster.

3. APPLICATIONS

3.1. Only projects that have not yet entered production and are still at the idea or story stage are eligible.

3.2. Applications must be submitted between 20 August 2025 and 3 October 2025. The application window opens on 20 August 2025 and closes on Friday, 3 October 2025 at 18:00 (Türkiye time).

3.3. Applications must be submitted in Turkish.

3.4. Preliminary applications must be submitted online via www.trtbelgesel.com no later than 3 October 2025. However, in order for online applications to be valid, the signed hard-copy documents must also be delivered to the following address by Friday, 3 October 2025 at 18:00:

TRT General Directorate

Department of In-House Productions

TRT International Documentary Awards

H Block No: 105

Turan Güneş Boulevard

06550 Oran, Çankaya – ANKARA / TÜRKİYE

TRT is not responsible for any delays in postal delivery.

Contact telephone: +90 506 904 2943

3.5. Applicants are required to complete the attached Project Application Form and submit a project presentation file online.

3.6. Participation is free of charge.

3.7. Application and Pre-Selection Process:

3.7.1. Only project files intended to be realized in documentary format will be accepted. Concepts such as TV programs, promotional films, or other formats lacking artistic value or falling outside the scope of cinematic art will not be eligible.

3.7.2. The Pre-Selection Committee shall consist of at least five (5) members, including representatives from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, professional associations, academia, the sector, and TRT. The TRT Documentary Awards Organizing and Executive Committee may increase the number of committee members if deemed necessary.

3.7.3. Applicants must be citizens of the Republic of Türkiye.

3.7.4. The accuracy of the information provided in the application form, as well as all legal liabilities, rests with the applicant. All applicants are deemed to have accepted the provisions of these Regulations.

3.7.5. TRT reserves the right not to disclose the reasoning behind committee decisions. Participants may not appeal the results.

4. COMPETITION CALENDAR

  • Application Start Date: 20 August 2025

  • Application Deadline: 3 October 2025, 18:00

  • Pre-Selection Results Announcement: 10 October 2025

  • Final Jury Evaluation: 6–9 November 2025

  • Announcement of Results and Award Ceremony: 9 November 2025

5. EVALUATION

5.1. Pre-Selection

5.1.1. Pre-Selection will be carried out by a committee of at least five (5) members appointed by TRT.

5.1.2. Decisions are taken by simple majority.

5.1.3. Each member has one vote; voting is confidential.

5.1.4. Decisions must be submitted in writing, with justification and signatures, to the TRT Documentary Awards Organizing and Executive Committee before the official announcement date.

5.1.5. Evaluation criteria include:

  • Completeness and accuracy of application documents,

  • Professional quality of the synopsis,

  • Originality and interest of the idea,

  • Technical feasibility of the project,

  • Suitability of the proposed format,

  • Director/producer/writer’s vision and previous work references.

Committee members will also consider their own expertise, aesthetic judgment, and artistic perspectives.

5.2. Final Jury

5.2.1. Projects passing the pre-selection will be presented by the participants and evaluated by the Final Jury.

5.2.2. The Final Jury will consist of at least five (5) members appointed by the Organizing and Executive Committee, selected from among filmmakers, academics, film critics, festival organizers, television professionals, and other respected figures from Türkiye and abroad.

5.2.3. If no project is deemed worthy of an award, the Final Jury reserves the right not to grant any prize.

5.2.4. If suitable projects are identified, the Final Jury will award prizes to three projects.

5.2.5. Jury decisions will be announced at the Awards Ceremony.

6. ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS

The results will be officially announced during the Awards Ceremony on 9 November 2025.

7. AWARDS

7.1. Should the Final Jury select three projects as award-worthy, each will receive a prize of 100,000 TL (One Hundred Thousand Turkish Lira). Awards will be paid by TRT after the deduction of statutory taxes and charges.

8. GENERAL CONDITIONS

8.1. Applications that do not comply with the Regulations may be disqualified by the Organizing and Executive Committee, the Pre-Selection Committee, or the Final Jury.

8.2. Submitted project files will not be returned.

8.3. In cases not specified in these Regulations, or if the number of eligible applications is deemed insufficient, TRT reserves the exclusive right to decide whether or not to proceed with evaluation.

8.4. TRT reserves the right to make amendments to these Regulations.

8.5. By applying, participants are deemed to have read, approved, and accepted these Regulations and the Personal Data Protection (KVKK) Clarification Text.

8.6. Members of the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), TRT Board of Directors, the General Director, Deputy General Directors, members of the relevant selection committees, as well as all TRT personnel and their first-degree relatives, spouses, or affiliated companies, are not eligible to apply or contribute to participating works. Former employees may not apply within five years of leaving TRT. Any violation will result in disqualification, and awarded prizes must be returned.

8.7. Applicants whose projects qualify for the finals accept that official notifications will be made via the e-mail address provided in their application.

8.8. The Courts and Enforcement Offices of Ankara shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes arising from the implementation of these Regulations.