Turkey-Germany Film Festival starts

NURNBERG - Anadolu Agency

At the opening ceremony of the 19th Turkey-Germany Film Festival, actress Koçyiğit presented the lifetime achievement award to director Edgar Reitz.

The 19th Turkey-Germany Film Festival, attended by many cinema artists from Turkey and Germany, kicked off in Nuremberg on March 13. The festival will feature 49 short, documentary and feature films from both countries, with 71 cinema artists giving talks for audiences.

Among the attendees of the opening ceremony at the Tefenhalle Culture and Arts Center where Bavarian Finance Minister Markus Söder, Nuremberg Mayor Ultich Maly, Edgar Reitz, Mario Adorf, actress Hülya Koçyiğit, director Reis Çelik and the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) Secretary General Klaus Eder.

Delivering the opening speech, Maly said such festivals made both countries closer to each other and had a great share in the promotion of their culture. He also said that the municipality was planning to increase the festival budget 25,000 euros more.

Söder said his ministry was providing 25,000 euros in support for the film festival. In the opening ceremony, actress Koçyiğit presented the lifetime achievement award to director Edgar Reitz.

Following the speeches, the opening film “Der letzte Mensch” (Last Man) was shown with the attendance of its leading actors Mario Adorf and Katharina Derr, as well as producer Annita Elsani.

In addition, a selection of scenes was screened to commemorate the legendary Turkish actor Tuncel Kurtiz, who died last year.

The festival will continue with 77 events and the award ceremony will be held on March 22. Actress Fatma Girik and actor Halil Ergün will be present in the ceremony.