Flying Broom Film Fest to begin its journey in May

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

Actress Serra Yılmaz is one of the recipients of the festival’s Success Awards.

The 15th Flying Broom International Women’s Film Festival is set to take place between May 10 and 17 in Ankara. The festival, supported by the Culture and Tourism Ministry, the Prime Ministry Promotional Fund and the European Union, was launched yesterday at a press conference.

The Flying Broom Communications and Research Association Chair Halime Güner said the goal of the festival was to help women’s efforts in cinema, as the cinema is both a goal and a tool for women to be organized. “We have progressed very much, and have become the world’s only women’s film festival awarded by international cinema critics. For 15 years we have brought Turkey’s agenda to the world, and the world’s agenda to Turkey.” She went on to describe the festival program as “rich and magnificent.”

Master film critic, Atilla Dorsay, also made a speech at the ceremony, saying women became victims of murders originating in customs, despite many articles appearing in the media, promises given by administrations, and the pressure of public opinion.

“Is it different in the world? Women are under pressure even in the most developed countries. They are under the contemporary pressure called discrimination. Such initiations should be seen not only as an art event but also as an effort for self expression. A person who attends this festival can realize what women can do in the world,” Dorsay said.

The festival

The festival - which since 2003 has been dedicated to the memory of Bilge Olgaç, one of the most creative directors in the history of Turkish cinema - will present the Success Awards to actresses Füsun Demirel and Serra Yılmaz, while the Honorary Award will be given to actress Hale Soygazi. The awards will be presented during the opening ceremony of the festival on May 7 at the State Opera and Ballet in Ankara.

The festival will feature 115 films by 100 directors from 41 countries, and will present a selection from one of the leading names of Moroccan cinema, Farida Benlyazid, especially prepared by Turkish film critic Sevin Okyay for the 15th anniversary.

Among the other directors featured will be Trinh Minh-ha, Saara Cantell, Teresa Villaverde and Debra Zimmerman.

There will also be a short film competition at this year’s festival, with a theme of “Can I Call You Father?” Talks and special screenings at the Ankara, Hacettepe and the Middle East Technical Universities will also be held.

Tickets for the festival will be on sale from April 28. Prices will be 2 Turkish liras for day screenings, and 7 (student) and 10 liras for night screenings.