Istanbul Film Festival opens

ISTANBUL

The 35th Istanbul Film Festival, organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV), kicked off last night with the opening film “Midnight Special.” 

A film by Jeff Nichols of “Take Shelter” fame and starring Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Jaeden Lieberher and Adam Driverthe, “Midnight Special” is literally a homage to the fantasy films of the 1980s. 

The festival, which will run until April 17, will host 187 feature films, as well as 10 short and 24 experimental films, in 25 different categories. In addition to the screening of a total of 221 films by 223 directors from 62 countries, there will be talks with guest filmmakers, panel discussions, concerts and other special events.

Ten films that were completed in the 2015-16 season will compete for the Golden Tulip in the national competition of the festival, while raising the occasion to three Turkey and four world premieres.

The winners of the national and international Golden Tulip, FACE human rights in cinema, national documentary and national short film and Audentia awards – the last of which will be given for the first time at the festival to draw attention to gender inequality – will be announced on April 15.