Japanese Film Festival returns to Istanbul

ISTANBUL

The 12th edition of the Istanbul Japanese Film Festival will take place from Feb. 4 to Feb. 13, in association with the Japanese General Consulate of Istanbul, the Japan Foundation and Akbanksanat.

The festival will feature six films portraying contemporary Japan, including Naomi Kawase’s masterpiece “AN” (the opening act for the “Un Certain Regard” section of the 68th Cannes Film Festival). “The Wind Rises,” the latest work of Hayao Miyazaki will also be shown, the winner of many international awards including Best Animation at the 37th Japanese Academy Awards and the Outstanding Achievement and Best Animated Feature Production at the 41st Annual Annie Awards. 

Turkish films will be dubbed in the Japanese language and Turkish subtitles will be available for the latter. Hall capacity is limited, so Akbank Sanat should be contacted for invitations one hour before the screenings. No admission fee is required for the events. 

Last year saw the 125th anniversary of the tragedy of the Ottoman frigate Ertuğrul, and a film on the subject – the first ever to be co-produced by Turkey and Japan - “Ertuğrul 1890” was filmed and screened in both countries to mark the anniversary.