Being committed to supporting democracy and human rights in accordance with the EU founding principles, the Delegation European Union to Turkey and the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV) collaborated in 2020 during the 39th Istanbul Film Festival.

Under this collaboration, the EU Delegation is the Thematic Sponsor of the "Human Rights in Cinema Competition" of the 2020 Istanbul Film Festival. The Human Rights in Cinema Competition aims to honour works that emphasize respect for human rights in the light of the principles of individual and political freedom and the rule of law. Accordingly, the award is given to a film that deals with social changes and personal dramas. The audience votes determined the winner film on 29 December 2020.

Directed by Maryna Gorbach Er and Mehmet Bahadır Er, “OMAR AND WE” is the winner of the 39th Istanbul Film Festival Human Rights in Cinema Competition. The film received a 5,000€ award by the Eurimages Cultural Fund of the Council of Europe.