He won the Golden Bear (Berlin International Festival) and the EFA People's Choice Award for his film HEAD-ON in 2004 and became one of the most influential European directors. He achieved subsequent international success with the drama THE EDGE OF HEAVEN (2007) for which he won the price for BEST SCREENPLAY at the celebrated international Cannes Film Festival. The European Film Award and German Film Award followed. For his next film SOUL KITCHEN (2009) Fatih Akin was honoured with the SPECIAL PRIZE OF THE JURY, within the competition of the 66th Venice Film Festival. THE CUT celebrated its world premiere in competition at the 71st International Venice Filmfestival in 2014.