12th Bosphorus Film Festival begins today: International cinema, events in Istanbul

The 12th Bosphorus Film Festival starts today and runs from October 18 to 25, bringing a week full of cinema and artistic events to Istanbul.

The festival will screen films from around the world and Türkiye, providing a unique experience for film lovers visiting the city.

Opening film with Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy

12th Bosphorus Film Festival’s opening film, Small Things Like These, directed by Tim Mielants, features Cillian Murphy and has been nominated for the Golden Bear award. Festival Artistic Director Enes Erbay emphasized that the selection includes films from prestigious international festivals like Cannes, Berlin, and Venice.

He added, “We believe it will be a very satisfying program for cinephiles. In addition to screenings, we will have Bosphorus Talks. The first session will showcase the film Yomeddine, directed by Abu Bakr Shawky, followed by a conversation with him.”

The Bosphorus Film Festival aims to represent a diverse range of films, with entries from countries like Peru, Nepal, Russia, and Spain. Documentaries such as Proof and Bye Bye Tiberias will also focus on significant global issues like the ongoing conflict in Palestine. The variety of films and documentaries presented is designed to give the audience a well-rounded experience.

Bosphorus Film Festival’s competitions, special screenings bring recognition to filmmakers

The Bosphorus Film Festival has received nearly 2,000 submissions this year, with 32 films—both short and feature-length—chosen for the final lineup. Among them, 11 international films will compete for the Golden Dolphin award in the international category. National films will also have their own category, with 10 productions competing.

The jury, led by director Atalay Tasdiken, will evaluate the films and present cash awards. The Best Film award will be given $8,700, while other awards, including Best Actor and Best Actress, will also receive cash prizes.

The festival’s director emphasized the importance of the international competition and said that despite fewer entries from the Middle East due to ongoing challenges, the festival has seen strong submissions from other regions.

A week of cinema at historic venues, wide array of events in Istanbul

The festival’s screenings will be held at Atlas 1948 Cinema, AKM Yesilcam Cinema, and Cinema Pink.

• Tickets are available for purchase online, with prices set at $2 for short films and documentaries and $3.5 for feature-length films.

If you are in Istanbul, this is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the global film scene and explore the unique cinematic offerings available.

Bosphorus University, one of Türkiye’s most respected educational institutions, holds a special place in the festival’s identity. As a landmark of academic and cultural significance, the university adds prestige to the event, attracting attention from film enthusiasts worldwide.