Portuguese drama The Ornithologist took the top award at the International Istanbul Film Festival here Friday night.
Directed by Joao Pedro Rodrigues, the Golden Tulip winner tells the story of a solitary ornithologist, Fernando, and his journey to self-discovery.
Portuguese embassy cultural attaché Mario Tiago Paixao collected the award that was handed out at the Soho House Istanbul.
Other winners of the 36th edition of the festival included the Spanish drama Summer 1993 by Carla Simon which received the International Golden Tulip Special Jury Prize, Yellow Heat by Fikret Reyhan for best film and Yesim Ustaoglu was awarded the director’s prize for Clair Obscur.
The Special Jury Prize in memory of Onat Kutlar went to Blue Silence directed by Bulent Ozturk. Bulent Ozturk won the screenplay award for the same film.
The festival ends Sunday and features almost 200 works by 207 directors from 61 countries.
