If you’re tired of watching Hollywood or Bollywood movies, it’s time for you to check out some Turkish films and experience something new!
The Vancouver Turkish Film Festival is celebrating its 11th year, inviting audiences to experience the diverse world of Turkish cinema. The festival kicks off on November 21 at the VIFF Centre, opening with Ferzan Özpetek’s Istanbul Trilogy. This three-part film honors Istanbul’s raki banquet tradition, where friends and family gather to drink, debate, and share the highs and lows of life together.
11th Vancouver Turkish Film Festival will take place at @SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts from November 21 to 24, 2024.
The film screenings will be held at Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema.https://t.co/imOkOkh8Ur
Organized by @TCSVancouver pic.twitter.com/ii8StvP4Xa— Vancouver Turkish Film Festival (@vtfilmfestival) May 7, 2024
This year’s lineup features an impressive selection, including seven feature films, three documentaries, and, for the first time, a short film program that highlights emerging Turkish filmmakers. Standout films include Oya, a documentary about Anatolian lacework traditions, with a Q&A session led by director Sevinç Baloğlu. Dormitory explores themes of tradition, family, and identity, offering a thoughtful view of Turkey’s sociocultural landscape.
The short film program brings selections like The Longest Night and The Consultant, which explore topics ranging from family dynamics to societal control. Gukla (The Doll) offers psychological thrills set against the haunting backdrop of Izmir, while Kadikoy: Town of the Blind is a documentary capturing the spirit of Istanbul. The festival’s gala night will include Q&A sessions with visiting directors, giving Vancouverites a chance to delve into the artistry behind these films.
Festival director Zuhal Karatas Kavak says, “The 11th Vancouver Turkish Film Festival offers a unique opportunity to explore cinema that transcends borders and reflects universal human experiences. This year’s diverse program will take audiences on a cinematic journey through Anatolia and beyond, with films that resonate deeply on the international stage.”
The Turkish-Canadian Society of Vancouver is a registered non-profit organization, organizes the event. The VTFF was founded in 2011 by TCS volunteers, including film enthusiasts, directors, and industry professionals. Since its inception, the festival has aimed to showcase the richness of Turkish cinema, celebrating both popular mainstream films and internationally acclaimed, award-winning works. It has also collaborated with the Vancouver International Film Festival to present some Turkish films at the event.
The 11th edition of the Vancouver Turkish Film Festival offers a platform to share Turkey’s multicultural heritage with the residents of Metro Vancouver, further enriching the cultural landscape of the city.
To be honest, I don’t have much of an impression of Turkish movies, so I’m actually glad to hear that we have this festival every year. Agree or not, multiculturalism has always been one of Canada’s defining features. I’m happy to see these different cultures having their unique time to shine.