Aslıhan Ünaldı’s “Afloat” which explores themes like family, career, and sexuality through the eyes of female characters from three different generations, clinched both the Best Film and Best Director awards at the 2024 New York CineFest.
Aslıhan Ünaldı’s “Afloat” which was featured in the official selection of the 2024 New York CineFest, claimed both the Best Film and Best Director awards.
Previously, the film had garnered Elit İşcan the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 30th International Adana Golden Boll Film Festival and bestowed upon Ünaldı the Best Female Director Award at the Los Angeles Independent Women’s Film Awards.
Inspired by the director’s personal experiences, “Afloat” delves into themes of alienation and acceptance within the socio-political landscape of contemporary Turkey, portraying the story of a fractured family attempting to reconnect.
This marks Ünaldı’s debut as a feature film director
Above the Water marks the debut feature film for Aslıhan Ünaldı, who also teaches screenplay writing in the graduate film programs at Columbia University and New York University.
Filmed in the scenic bays of Göcek and Fethiye, the movie stars Elit İşcan, Nihan Aker, Lila Gürmen, Serhat Ünaldı, Eren Çiğdem, and Oscar Pearce. It examines themes of family, career, and sexuality through the eyes of women from three different generations.
Produced by Kamen Velkovsky and Aslıhan Ünaldı, with cinematography by the award-winning André Jäger, the film features music by Davut Özdemir and Deniz Güngör.
Having been showcased at esteemed festivals like Sao Paulo, Valencia, Montreal, Buenos Aires, Sofia, and Istanbul, “Afloat,” a Siren Film production, has garnered international acclaim and is poised to continue its journey through the global festival circuit.