Organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), Turkey’s largest film event, Istanbul Film Festival is preparing to meet cinema lovers for the 38th time.
The 38th Istanbul Film Festival, with a programme comprising highlights from Turkey and world cinema, will take place between 5 and 16 April 2019.
Istanbul Film Festival presents a rich programme in its 38th edition ranging from the recent productions of world cinema to cult films, to the largest showcase from Turkey and classics alike, new discoveries, and future masterpieces. The festival presents 175 feature-length, 11 short films, in 19 different sections. Besides the screening of a total of 186 films by 187 directors from 45 countries, the festival will feature Q&As and festival talks with visiting filmmakers, actors and actresses, concerts, and other special events.
The 38th Istanbul Film Festival, commemorating the legendary director Stanley Kubrick will feature a poster referencing Alex’ character in A Clockwork Orange, one of Kubrick’s most renowned films.
The poster visuals are prepared by the Berlin-based artist, photographer, director and writer Sebastian Bieniek, world-renowned with his ongoing series of experimental photographs Doublefaced, featuring portraits creating the illusion of two faces that remind us of humans’ duplicitous nature in an imaginative way.
The promotion campaign of the 38th Istanbul Film Festival is undertaken by TBWA.
This year’s opening film will be Edmond, the latest film of Alexis Michalik, the young genius, dramaturge, actor, and playwright known as “the prince of French theatre” adapts and directs the film version of his blockbuster play of the same name which won numerous Molière awards. Brisk, ingenious, riveting with top-notch acting and direction Edmond centres around a young playwright who finds fame early on just like Michalik himself. Set in Paris in 1897 during the Belle Epoque, the film tells the creation story of his much beloved play Cyrano de Bergerac, which Edmond Rostand penned when he was experiencing a writer’s block.
Eight movie theatres
The 38th Istanbul Film Festival films will be screened at eight movie theatres: Atlas and Beyoğlu movie theatres, as well as Pera Museum Auditorium in the Beyoğlu district, Cinemaximum City’s Nişantaşı (two halls), Cinemaximum Zorlu Center in Gayrettepe, Rexx and Kadıköy movie theatres in Kadıköy.
The screenings will be at 11.00, 13.30, 16.00, 19.00 and 21.30.
The festival’s gift to students prevails this year: with the support of the patrons, student tickets for 11.00, 13.30 and 16.00 screenings on weekdays will be sold for 2 TL.
Yapı Kredi Culture Centre, will once again be the festival centre of the 38th Istanbul Film Festival. The centre, which will host press meetings, panel discussions, festival talks, seminars and other related events, will be the heart of the festival.
Cinema Awards
The Cinema Awards of the 38th Istanbul Film Festival will be presented to four revered figures of Turkish cinema, during the opening ceremony of the festival at UNIQ Istanbul on Thursday, 4 April.
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Şerif Gören, the director of Yol, which brought the “Palme d’Or” to Turkish Cinema. The “Golden Boy” of Turkish Cinema, Göksel Arsoy, and the indispensable actress of the formidable female roles, Selda Alkor will receive Honorary Cinema Awards. The Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Award will go to the founding member of the Turkish Cinematheque Association, Jak Şalom.
Meetings on the Bridge
Meetings on the Bridge, organised within the scope of the 38th Istanbul Film Festival for the 14th time, brings filmmakers from Turkey and the neighbouring countries together with international film professionals, and will take place between 7 and 12 April with the contributions of Anadolu Efes.
While providing an opportunity for filmmakers to hold the first international presentations of their new film projects at Film Development Workshop and films in post-production at Work in Progress, Meetings on the Bridge also aims to pave the way for co-productions and organises panels, master classes and forums. Neighbours platform was launched in 2015 in order to initiate new collaborations and enhance communication between filmmakers from Turkey and the neighbouring countries. The Neighbours platform builds a ground for institutions and individuals to co-operate while facilitating the development of common stories.
The award reception of Meetings on the Bridge will take place on Friday, 12 April.
