Film Festival to hold special screenings for Syrian migrants in Turkey’s southeast

ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency

The 15th !f Istanbul Independent Film Festival will hold special screenings in Turkey’s southeastern provinces for Syrian refugees, starting from Feb. 26.

Five selected films will be screened with Arabic subtitles in 11 different locations in Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa, as a part of an event coordinated by the Kırkayak Kültür cultural center in Gaziantep. 

The movies, which will be screened for free on Feb. 26-28 at NGOs and community centers in Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa will particularly focus on stories of women who face “darkness, blockades, oppression, borders” but still manage to struggle on.

“Into the Forest” will be screened on Feb. 26 at 19.00 p.m. Oscar-nominated “Mustang” will be shown on Feb. 27 at 13.00 p.m. “Speed Sisters” will be screened on Feb. 27 at 16.00 p.m. “Sonita” will be screened on Feb. 28 at 13.00 p.m. “Ma Der Behest” will be shown on Feb. 28 at 16.00 p.m.

In addition to the films, interviews with the directors will also be broadcast on screen.


‘Art helps societies live together’

Kırkayak Kültür’s coordinator Kemal Vural Tarlan said art was “the best way to learn to live together.” 

“The International Zeugma Film was previously organized in Gaziantep but Syrian refugees asked why films with the Arabic subtitles were not included in the program,” Tarlan said.

“Hundreds of thousands Syrian refugees are living in Gaziantep, Urfa and Kilis and these people are not just guests,” he said. “Art is the best way to learn to live together.”