Mardin Film Festival opens

MARDİN – Anadolu Agency

AA Photo

The 10th International Mardin Film Festival kicked off Nov. 13 in the southeastern province of Mardin. 

At the opening ceremony, festival president Helün Fırat said this year’s festival could not be celebrated like it has been in the past, due to the ongoing conflict within the region. 

Speaking about the critics of the “X” symbol used in the festival poster, Fırat said, “Everyone asked about the meaning of ‘x.’ It symbolizes 10 in Roman letters. But we will not count it [the festival] this year because we could not celebrate the festival as we do every year. This is why we wish to celebrate 10+1 next year.”  

The festival will screen 25 feature films and it will have a “video art” section for the first time this year. 

Fırat said the screenings would be free of charge again, adding, “The festival will host the Turkish premieres of two films: Iranian director Salem Slavati’s ‘The Last Winter’ and Egyptian director Amr Salama’s ‘Excuse My French.’ 

The Mardin Provincial Culture and Tourism Director said the festival will continue until Nov. 20 and will screen 25 films from Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Egypt.