Thank you to the Annual Copenhagen Film Festival for selecting #TheUnwilling#Horror Feature in their international competition.

UNAFF 2017

SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN for the 20th UNAFF, which runs from October 19-29, 2017 in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, San Francisco and Stanford University, USA

UNAFF celebrates the power of international documentary films dealing with human rights, the environment, refugees, famine, homelessness, racism, disease control, women's issues, children, universal education, war and peace.

This year’s theme RESPECT continues the ongoing celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and focuses on various aspects of the Sustainable Development Goals.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

• Documentaries only

• No production year limit - but no films that are available online for free

• No runtime limit - UNAFF accepts both shorts and longs

• Rough-cuts or works-in-progress accepted, but please submit as close to the final cut as possible. UNAFF cannot accept updated versions of a film less than 10 days before the start of the festival.

• Preferred submission format: DVD (NTSC/PAL) or Blu-Ray region 0 or 1

• Alternate submission format: Download-enabled online link with a password having an expiration date extending through July 31, 2017

ENTRY FEES:

• $30 for films up to 30 min. (late deadline $40)

• $40 for films longer than 30 min. (late deadline is $50)

Please send a check or money order payable to UNAFF or use the PayPal link below (please enter info@unaff.org):

Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!  paypal

Download the entry form at: www.unaff.org (Adobe PDF format)

You may also submit your entry form using withoutabox or FilmFreeway:

SUBMISSION DEADLINES:

• Early Deadline – May 7, 2017*

• Regular Deadline – May 17, 2017*

• Late deadline – May 27, 2017*

(*Postmarked)

MAILING ADDRESS: Please submit screener and payment (if paying via check or money order) to: 

UNAFF 2017

CERAS/CAW

Stanford University

520 Galvez Mall

Stanford, CA 94305-3084

AWARDS  include a CASH prize

• UNAFF Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary $2000

• UNAFF Grand Jury Award for Best Short Documentary $1000

• UNAFF/Stanford Video Award for Cinematography $500

• UNAFF/Stanford Video Award for Editing $500

• UNAFF Youth Vision Award $500

UNAFF provides filmmakers with pass credentials, guest festival passes and some assistance with lodging and airfare. In addition to screenings, UNAFF provides filmmakers the opportunity to present their work through panel discussions and Q&As and to meet distributors and leaders of community organizations. 

Questions or comments:  email: info@unaff.org  or call: (650) 724-5544, or visit www.unaff.org

The last week of April will belong to Visegrad Film Forum, which is going to be held at the Faculty of Film and Television of Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava, Slovakia. As a consequence of critically acclaimed and trending TV series along with growing demand for new media formats, the new names closely linked with television production were brought to the programme of this extraordinary educational and networking event.

Great beauty of architecture by Ludovica Ferrario!

A key member of Paolo Sorrrentino's team Ludovica Ferrario brings breath-taking settings with great sense of details, proportions and geometry in Oscar awarded Great Beauty, Youth and latest TV mini-series Young Pope. As she was not allowed to shoot in sacred buildings of Vatican she recreated full scale replica of Sistine chapel and St. Peter facade in Rome's studios. Her career as a production designer had begun with the work of director Franco Zeffireli. Furthermore, she cooperated with creators such as Wim Wenders at Palermo Shooting and Certified Copy with Abbas Kiorostami. 

Steve Matthews - grey eminence of TV production!

London based producer Steve Matthews became globally known after his work on all three Neil Jordan's historical-fiction drama television series The Borgias following controversial family from Vatican set in 16th century. At present he is defining trends and future of the European TV standard as an executive producer of HBO film channel for the Middle and Eastern Europe. His projects are open mainly to filmmakers coming from Visegrad countries. He is currently working on a Polish TV series Blinded by lights and had prepared a ground for recently aired Czech criminal series Wasteland and Hungarian action drama Golden Life. 

Master of observational cinema Sergei Loznitsa

The Cannes Festival awarded hawk-eyed filmmaker, Sergei Loznitsa, who brought attention with the feature length documentary Maidan capturing anti-government protests in Ukraine. His recent documentary Austerlitz is exploring the phenomena of tourists’ behaviour while visiting Nazi extermination camps. With regard the Loznitsa documentary he was the first-ever Ukrainian filmmaker to compete for Cannes' Palme d'Or, making his feature film debut My Joy in 2010. The film was followed by In the Fog describing story from western frontiers of the USSR. 

Visegrad Film Forum expands outside Europe!

Students of El Nahda Association for Scientific & Cultural Renaissance from exotic Cairo, Egypt will meet with National Film School; IADT Dun Laoghaire from Dublin, Ireland; University of Arts from Belgrade, Serbia; and National I. K. Karpenko-Kary Theatre, Cinema and Television University from Kiev, Ukraine including schools from V4 countries - The Academy of Performing Arts - Faculty of Film and Television in Bratislava; University of Silesia in Katowice; Eszterházy Károly University in Eger and The Film Academy of Miroslav Ondříček in Písek.

New names, new master classes and some extraordinary experiences!

6th Visegrad Film Forum (VFF) will take place at the Faculty of Film and Television in Bratislava from April 25 - 29, 2017. Participants will enjoy five amazing days full of screenings of student films, master classes with renowned experts, case studies of interesting film projects, discussions, and workshops. All together with exceptional guest Colin Arthur. Father of phenomenal creatures and legendary British SFX artist with a massive impact on films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Conan the Barbarian and The Neverending Story. Everything he did with almost no CGI! 

Visegrad Film Forum 

Venue: Faculty of Film and Television VŠMU

Deadline for online accreditation: April 15, 2017

Deadline for accreditation with special discount: March 30, 2017

Accreditation with special discount: 25 Eur / 15 Eur for students (the price without discount will be 30 Eur / 20 Eur for students)

You can register here: www.as.visegradfilmforum.com

website: www.visegradfilmorum.com

facebook: www.facebook.com/VisegradFilmForum

Organiser: Boiler, NGO
Co-Organizer: Faculty of Film and Television VŠMU 
Financially supported by: International Visegrad Fund 
Partner schools: The Academy of Performing Arts - Faculty of Film and Television in Bratislava (FTF VŠMU Bratislava), University of Silesia in Katowice, Eszterházy Károly University in Eger (EKU Eger), The Film Academy of Miroslav Ondříček in Písek (FAMO Písek), Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrad (FDA Belehrad), National I. K. Karpenko-Kary Theatre, Cinema and Television University in Kyjev (KNUTCT Kyjev), Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Dublin (IADT Dublin), El Nahda Association for Scientific & Cultural Renaissance in Cairo 

Under the patronage of the Mayor of Bratislava Ivo Nesrovnal. 

infovff@gmail.com | www.visegradfilmforum.com | https://www.facebook.com/VisegradFilmForum

In case you are not interested in receiving the newsletter anymore, visit www.visegradfilmforum.com and unsubscribe by clicking the (un)Subscribe button in the lower left.

In its 20th Anniversary Edition, the American Sephardi Federation (ASF) today announced the programs for its weeklong celebration of diverse stories and rich histories portrayed in film at the New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival (NYSJFF).

The Festival features a different themed program each day. Select nights are dedicated to the Moroccan, Iraqi, Greek, and Yemenite Jewish communities.

For the first time at the Festival, the untold stories of how Sephardic Jews from Algeria, Tunisia, and Greece suffered during the Holocaust are shared during a full day of films, “Sephardim in the Shoah” (Sunday, April 2). “From Ethiopia to Israel” (Tuesday, April 4) explores the challenges of emigration.

“An Evening of Empowering Sephardi Women” (Monday, April 3) showcases three films that explore women’s experiences and highlight differences in gender relations and expectations between Ashkenazi and Sephardi communities. ASF’s Young Leadership Board is hosting “Love, Sephardi Style” (Tuesday, April 4) an evening of short films that explore modern romance and relationships from several Sephardi perspectives, including Israeli and Persian. An interactive discussion will follow with an award-winning Jewish Iranian-American filmmaker.

“For this important NYSJFF 20th Anniversary Edition, we are proud to present poignant and powerful programs that speak to the issues of our time and all time,” said Sara Nodjoumi, Artistic Director of the New York Sephardic Jewish Film Festival. “There are stories of immigration, persecution, and resistance. Perspectives on everything from the making of the modern Middle East to the modern experiences of finding romance in traditional Sephardi communities. The number of quality films this year is a sign of vitality and the increasing interest in the varied experiences of Sephardim,” Nodjoumi said.

NYSJFF Artistic Director Sara Nodjoumi produced The Iran Job and is a programming alumna of the Tribeca Film Festival. “Sara has scoured the globe for movies of Sephardi interest and the results are the strongest film line-up in the NYSJFF’s storied history,” said Jason Guberman-P., ASF's Executive Director.

Joining her as the NYSJFF's Producer is French opera singer, David Serero. Serero previously created and starred in ASF's successful theatrical season (Merchant of Venice, Othello, and Nabucco). Most recently he performed at ASF for the President of Portugal. “We are elated that David is applying his many talents to make this NYSJFF the most memorable yet,” said Guberman.

The Festival will screen all films and events at ASF’s home, the Center for Jewish History (15 West 16^th Street), near Union Square in Chelsea. The complete list of selected NYSJFF films with dates, times and ticket information can be found at www.nysephardifilmfestival.org and below:

March 30 – Thursday: Opening Night

7:00 p.m. Reception

Pomegranate Award Ceremony

April 1 - Saturday: - Iraqi Night

8:30 p.m. Letters from Baghdad directed by Sabine Krayenbühl & Zeva Oelbaum

Feature Documentary, USA, France, UK, 2016, 95 min

Letters from Baghdad is the story of a true original—Gertrude Bell—sometimes called the female “Lawrence of Arabia.” A British spy, explorer, and political powerhouse, Bell played a pivotal role in the creation of Iraq. Voiced and executive produced by the Academy Award-winner Tilda Swinton and featuring newly discovered primary source documentation and rare footage, the film unveils this dramatic story of the modern Middle East.

Filmmakers in attendance for Q&As.

April 2 – Sunday: Sephardim in the Shoah

2:00 p.m. TheNight of Fools directed by Rami Kimchi

Docu-Drama, Israel, 2014, 56 min

This film reveals the little-know story of Algeria’s mostly Jewish underground movement during WWII. With only 400 volunteers versus the Vichy garrison of 25,000 troops, the underground succeeded in taking control of Algiers for one night, before handing the city over the Americans, who arrive via an amphibious landing the next morning.

            4:00 p.m. Victor Young Perez directed by Jacques Ouaniche

            Feature Narrative, France, 2013, 110 min

Victor "Young" Perez is the heartbreaking true story of a Tunisian Jew, the World Flyweight Champion in 1931 and 1932, who was deported to Auschwitz.

            6:30 p.m. Cloudy Sunday directed by Manoussos Manoussakis

Feature Narrative, Greece, 2016, 118 min

Set in Thessaloniki (Salonica) during the Nazi occupation in 1943, this film tells the story of the forbidden love between Estrea, a young Jewish woman, and Giorgos, the brother-in-law of the famed composer Vassilis Tsitsanis.

April 3 - Monday: An Evening of Empowering Sephardi Women

            5:00 p.m. Dimona Twist directed by Michael Aviad

            Feature Documentary, Israel, 2016, 70 min

Like most of Israel’s southern periphery, Dimona was a town created for primarily Middle Eastern Jewish immigrants and refugees. Seven courageous Sephardi women share their stories about being shipped to this desert town originally built in the 1950s. Determined to create meaningful lives they found creative ways to overcome poverty and discrimination.

7:00 p.m. TheWomen’s Balcony directed by Emil Ben-Shimon

Feature Narrative, Israel, 2016, 96 min

When a women’s balcony collapses during a Bar Mitzvah—a close-knit Sephardic congregation in Jerusalem fractures along gender lines. This popular crowd-pleaser about women speaking truth to patriarchal power is accompanied by stirring music and sumptuous food.

This will be preceded by the World Premiere of A Gravedigger’s Daughter, directed by Shira Gabay (15 min narrative short, Israel).

April 4 – Tuesday: From Ethiopia to Israel

5:00 p.m. Red Leaves directed by Bazi Gete

Feature Narrative, Israel, 2014, 80 min

Meseganio Tadela, 74, is a hard, obstinate man who emigrated from Ethiopia to Israel 28 years ago with his family. After losing his wife, Meseganio sets out on a journey that leads him through his children's homes realizing that he belongs to a rapidly disappearing class that believes in retaining Ethiopian-Jewish culture.

            Young Professionals Night: Love, Sephardi Style

            7:00 p.m. Dear God directed by Erez Tadmor and Guy Nattiv

            Short Narrative, Israel, 2014, 16 min

Aaron is a simple man who guards the Wailing Wall. Day after day, a mysterious woman puts a note in between the ancient stones, and Aaron, recovering and reading the papers, fulfills her deepest wish.

7:15 p.m. Jewish Blind Date directed by Anaëlle Morf

Short Narrative, Switzerland, 2016, 16 min

Unhappy in love, Mary Lou decides to reconnect with her religious roots by marrying an observant Jew. In order to get married, she has to pass the “Shidduch Test,” which will determine whether her life will be a success or failure.        

8:00 p.m. Love, Iranian-American Style directed by Tanaz Eshaghian

Feature Documentary, USA, 2006, 63 min

Sexual purity, money, and a mother's worries come together in this humorous guided tour of America's status-obsessed Iranian Jewish community. As Tanaz’s Iranian family attempts to marry her off now that she's reached the age of 25, she vacillates between soppy American ideas of romance, and a more business-like Persian approach, and in the end may be unable to execute either.

Filmmaker in attendance for Q&As.

April 5 - Wednesday: A Greek Odyssey

6:00 p.m. Trezoros: The Lost Jews of Kastoria directed by Lawrence Russo & Larry Confino

Feature Documentary, Greece, USA, 2016, 93 min

Using never before seen archival footage, this moving documentary set in the idyllic city of Kastoria, illuminates the lives of the Greek Sephardic community until Nazis took control of the town - dooming the substantial and storied community that had existed since the times of the Roman Empire.

Filmmakers in attendance for Q&As.

8:00 p.m. The Queen of Rebetiko: My Sweet Canary directed by Roy Sher

Feature Documentary, Greece, 2011, 90 min

The story of three young musicians from Greece, Turkey, and Israel who embark on a musical journey to tell the story of Greece’s best-known and best-loved Rebetiko singer, Roza Eskenazi, a woman who sang the way she lived: with passion, fire, and love.

April 6 – Thursday: Closing Night

Maimonides Friendship Award Ceremony 

7:00 p.m. Sallah Shabati directed by Ephraim Kishon

Feature Narrative, Israel, 1964, 110 min

This sharp, often hilarious satire that became the most successful film in Israeli history, is about new immigrants Sallah and his family, who are left in a shack near their promised apartment and are abandoned for months. This 1964 classic won a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, putting Israel on the international film stage for the first time.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Opening Night plus Festival Pass = $100 

Festival Pass excluding Opening Night = $50

Young Professionals Night= $25 

Individual Film = $10 

About the American Sephardi Federation:

The American Sephardi Federation, based at the Center for Jewish History, proudly preserves and promotes the history, traditions, and rich mosaic culture of Greater Sephardic communities as an integral part of the Jewish experience. ASF hosts high-profile events and exhibitions, produces widely-read online (Sephardi World Weekly and Sephardi Ideas Monthly) and print (The Sephardi Report) publications, supports research, scholarship, and the National Sephardic Library, and represents the Sephardi voice in diplomatic and Jewish communal affairs as a member of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Please visit us at www.facebook.com/americansephardifederation I Download the brochure with the complete program

The Polish Film Spring came early into London this year, as Kinoteka unreeled, for the 15th time, from 17th March to 5th April, 2017,in various venues across the capital, presenting new and classic features and shorts, documentaries and animations, with workshops,talks,master-classes, art, music, a dinner,and a plethora of tasty Polish cakes.It is quite literally a rich programme, capably curated as ever by movie-mad Marlena Lukasiak, and her old and new colleagues in the Polish Cultural Institute in Londyn.This year the Opening Gala relocated to what for me is now London's loveliest cinema,the Regent Street, historic site of the Freres Lumiere's first presentation of film on this side of the Channel in 1896, in  a theatre which was part  of the Royal Polytechnic Institution. After the Second World War it became a celebrated art-house, the Cameo-Poly, and subsequently a Classic Cinema (where I recall seeing Sidney Lumet's The Seagull when very small), until it again became a teaching space for 30 years.As the Poly was translated into the University of Westminster, the venue was gradually transformed, thanks to individual benefactors and sundry Funds and Trusts, with the 1936 Compton Organ refurbished,and the Art Deco interior splendidly renovated for its re-opening as a full-time cinema in May 2015.It is now a congenial home for classic double-bills,marvellous musical matinees (for its recent screening-I think as a 35mm print- of Kismet,I had to join a queue that snaked along Regent Street- how long is it since you saw an actual line at any box-office, in our days of Apps and booking online?),and frequent foreign film weeks and festivals,It was the perfect venue for the UK premiere of Andrzej Wajda's final film, his autumnal envoi Afterimage (Powidoki),a moving tribute to the avant-garde painter Wladislaw Strzemynski, severely handicapped after being wounded in the Great War.He was born in Minsk,and a student in St Petersburg and colleague of Malevich and Chagall, but  film focusses on his last years, as a victim of Stalinist policies,his abstract art vilified in the 1950s era of social realism,and himself hounded from the Art Institute he founded,humiliated and even prevented from painting, in penury and ill.It is a heroic performance by Boguslaw Linda who now has more than a look of Wajda himself (who completed the film with his customary vigour, clearly himself remembering the political regimes under which he often himself suffered, but sadly he died less than a month after its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, though at 90 was still planning a further film).The film is handsomely shot by Pawel Edelman ,the cinematographer who  worked with Wajda several times and was Oscar-nominated for Polanski's The Pianist, and aptly features music by Andrzej Panufnik, who had to pursue his career outside a Poland dominated by Stalin's  strictures. Forced to teach in secret to his devoted students, Strzemynski's theories on art were posthumously published and the film appropriately concludes with a blaze of colour from some surviving canvases.

A lively, informal Reception followed  the screening in the cinema's own cafe-bar,where guests included the Quay Brothers (they really are twins, I never know which one is which) who have again made a  characteristic festival logo/trailer, and the bright star of Polish stage and screens big and small, Maciej Stuhr, who features in the selections Planet Single, the successful romantic comedy directed by Slovenia's Mitja Okorn, and the 1950s music- drama Eccentrics, The Sunny Side of the Street(showing on Sunday 26th March, 7.30pm,Regent Street Cinema).There was an  abundance of sumptuous cakes from co-sponsor The Polish Bakery, and in the evident  absence of wodka,  vouchers for 20% discounts throughout the Festival in the DRY MARTINI Bar, a short walk away in the historic hotel partner, the Melia White House, the Art Deco  hotel-cum-apartment house on to which Kenneth Williams's  windows looked for many years.

Kinoteka continues with screenings of eight great films by Wajda, from early classics such as Ashes and Diamonds to Man of Marble,more or less smuggled into the  Cannes Film Festival  where the film caused a sensation in 1977, winning the FIPRESCI Prize ,and its follow-up Man of Iron, which also premiered at a later Cannes (and incidentally initiated my regular reportage on Polish cinema on the BBC Polish Service, as I was covering the festival for domestic BBC outlets and subsequently interviewed Wajda many times, though we mostly spoke French together, off-microphone.I later saw his own exquisite art works exhibited during the European Film Festival in Lecce, evidently inspired by Japan,with delicate drawings and exquisite colours.The last time I saw and spoke with  the master film-maker was at the inauguration(with retractable roof)  of the marvellous Shakespeare Theatre in Gdansk, a project he had long championed).There are also newer films, documentaries, and other events in many venues . Kinoteka returns to the Barbican for its spectacular close, pairing the live music of British Sea Power with animated shorts by such internationally-awarded talents as Piotr Dumala (Wednesday 5th April, 8pm, Barbican Hall). Polish films have been performing well in their own country as well as collecting awards around the world and Kinoteka always assembles a striking showcase of the classic and contemporary It is a timely addition for Brexiteers and Polonists alike.Na razie!

Phillip Bergson

For full programme and ticket details see www.kinoteka.org.uk   For wodka martinis , melia.white.house@melia.com

The 18th Havana Film Festival New York (www.HFFNY.com) comes to a close with the 8th Havana Star Prize Awards Ceremony followed by the NY premiere of the musical documentary The Forbidden Shore (dir. Ron Chapman) - a portrayal of over 40 exceptional Cuban musicians and artists. With his ambitious new film, Chapman captures the full gamut of what's happening now in Cuba, both the most exciting artists and the distinct musical scenes they move in, from classic son and salsa, to trova, reggaeton, rock, jazz, metal, rap, electronic, classical, choral, pop, rumba, conga, timba, and more! 

 Chapman was born in Toronto, Canada. His 2014 film Who the F**K is Arthur Fogel, (Lady Gaga, U2, The Police, Madonna...) was distributed in over 40 countries, and his 2015 critically- acclaimed award-winning documentary, The Poet of Havana (Carlos Varela, Jackson Browne, Benicio Del Toro...) on HBO.

One of the shining stars of the Cuban underground music movement is the native poetess and rapper, Telmary Diaz. She has collaborated with the likes of Isaac Delgado, Los Van Van, and the Buena Vista Social Club, and performed and recorded with figures from the international hip-hop and electronica community. Her first album "A Diario" was prized the CubaDisco award for Best Hip Hop Album in 2008. Telmary has recently wrapped up recording her second album, "Libre."

HFFNY has established itself as an integral site of cultural celebration for and of the Latino community of NYC, as well as one of the most prominent Latino international film festivals in the U.S. Annually, the Festival promotes the richness and diversity of Latino voices with programs that feature an international variety of award-winning films, Q&A sessions, retrospectives, and panel discussions with notable local and international directors, actors, and producers. As a platform for artistic and cultural exchange, HFFNY celebrates the work of existing and emerging Latino talent while creating bridges between filmmakers and the people of NYC. 

For more information, please visit us at  www.hffny.com.

CONTACT: Isamar Checo - press@hffny.com / 212.687.2146 Please RSVP if you would like to cover the Red Carpet and/or Closing Night Event.

THE 36TH ISTANBUL FILM FESTIVAL ON 5-15 APRIL

Organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), Turkey’s biggest international cinema eventIstanbul Film Festival is getting ready to meet cinema lovers for the 36th time. The 36th Istanbul Film Festival, with a roster comprising highlights from Turkey and world cinema will take place between
5 and 15 April.

The Istanbul Film Festival presents a rich programme in its 36th edition as ever, running a gamut from the latest productions of world cinema to cult films, most recent Turkish films, and classics, new discoveries, masterpieces, and hidden treasures. The festival hosts 186 feature films, as well as 17 short films in 21 different categories and in addition to the screening of a total of 203 films by 207 directors from 61 countries, Q&As andfestival talks with guest filmmakers, concerts, and other special events.

The 36th Istanbul Film Festival Press Conference

The press conference of the 36th Istanbul Film Festival was held on Tuesday morning, 14 March at The Marmara Hotel Taksim, the Official Hotel Sponsor of İKSV. İKSV General Director Görgün Taner and Istanbul Film Festival Director Kerem Ayan hosted the conference.

In his opening speech, İKSV General Director Görgün Taner said: “The 36th Istanbul Film Festival will be the first festival that the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts will be realising in 2017. With its carefully designed sections and rich programme, the Festival will once again offer its viewers opportunities to explore the most unique examples of cinema from Turkey and abroad. We will also continue our contributions to the development of the film industry in Turkey with the Meetings on the Bridge workshops and awards. This year for the first time, we will offer 1 TL tickets for students, for daytime screenings on weekdays. This way we hope to increase the accessibility of the festival to students, and we invite all students to our screenings. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the patrons who enable this opportunity, as well as the corporations that support the festival awards with monetary contributions, all our sponsors, international collaborators, and all public institutions, including Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism who significantly increased their contributions to the festival.”

Istanbul Film Festival Director Kerem Ayan, introducing the 36^th edition of the festival and its programme, later disclosed the films to vie in the Golden Tulip International Competition, Golden Tulip National Competition, FACE Human Rights in Cinema Competition, National Documentary Competition and the National Short Film Competition.

Nine movie theatres to screen festival films

The 36th Istanbul Film Festival films will be screened at nine movie theatres: Atlas and Beyoğlu movie theatres, as well as Pera Museum Auditorium and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura hall in the Beyoğlu region, Rexx movie theatre (two halls) in Kadıköy, Cinemaximum Kanyon in Levent and Cinemaximum City’s (two halls) in Nişantaşı.

The screenings will be at 11.00, 13.30, 16.00, 19.00 and 21.30, with midnight sessions at 24.00 on 7 and 8 April. Also on 11 and 12 April, 19.00 and 21.30 sessions will be held at Zorlu Center Cinemaximum.

The festival has a gift for students this year. With the support of the patrons, student tickets for 11.00, 13.30 and 16.00 sessions on weekdays will be sold for 1 TL.

Cinema Honorary Awards

The Cinema Honorary Awards of the Istanbul Film Festival, presented to distinguished figures of cinema of Turkey, will be presented to five artists this year: one of the most productive scriptwriters of the Turkish cinema Barış Pirhasan, an unforgettable face with her natural and subtle acting Selma Güneri, beloved film and stage actor Macit Koper and an important contributor to the visual language of our cinema, the cinematography master Çetin Tunca. The awards will be presented at the Opening Ceremony of the 36th Istanbul Film Festival on Tuesday, 4 April 2017. Film instructor and cinephile Mithat Alam who was honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Cinema Award, unfortunately passed away in November 2016. Devoting himself to film literacy, Mithat Alam had established the Boğaziçi University Film Center under his name. The recipients will be presented their awards at the Opening Ceremony of the 36th Istanbul Film Festival at the TİM Maslak Show Center on Tuesday, 4 April.

Ian McKellen, revered stage and film actor is the Istanbul Film Festival's Honorary Guest

One of the most beloved actors on film with his memorable roles in Richard III, Gods and Monsters,Lord of the Rings, and X-Men series, Sir Ian McKellen will be the guest of the festival in cooperation with the British Council to receive the Cinema Honorary Award of the Istanbul Film Festival.

Ian McKellen will receive the award at the Opening Ceremony to be held on Tuesday, 4 April and will also meet film lovers at the screenings of Richard III to be shown in Beyoğlu Atlas and Rexx movie theatres. McKellen will also give a talk at Albert Long Hall at the Bosphorus University on Friday, 7 April.

Ian McKellen was honoured with the "Sir" title in 1990, and knighted for his contribution to the theatre in 1991. McKellen has won numerous prizes such as six Laurence Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, Golden Globe Awards, SAG Awards, BIF Awards, twice the Saturn Award, four times the Drama Desk Award, twice the Critics' Choice Film Award, and nominated twice for the Academy Award.

To date, British Council’s FiveFilms4Freedom Ambassador Sir Ian McKellen has acted in 108 films, written two film scripts and produced a film. He is recognised as a master in Shakespeare renditions in many stage plays he acted in.

The stage play No Man's Land, directed by Sean Mathias, written by Harold Pinter, starring Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, will also meet theatre lovers co-hosted with National Theatre Live on April 3, 10, 11, 17, 24 and 25 screened at Salon İKSV.

Competitions across the festival

The competitions of the 36th Istanbul Film Festival will begin on 8 April. The winners of the International and National Golden Tulip, FACE Human Rights in Cinema, the National Documentary and the National Short Film competitions will be announced at the 36th Istanbul Film Festival Award Ceremony to be held on Friday,14 April.

INTERNATIONAL GOLDEN TULIP COMPETITION

In the International Competition section of the Istanbul Film Festival, 13 films from 11 countries, under the “New Perspectives in Cinema” theme will vie for the Golden Tulip.

The International Competition Golden Tulip Award, presented in memory of Şakir Eczacıbaşı, will be supported with a 25,000 Euro monetary award given by the Eczacıbaşı Group. The director of the Best Film will be awarded with 10,000 Euros, the distribution company of the film in Turkey will be awarded 10,000 Euros, and the director of the film to receive the Special Jury Prize will be awarded 5,000 Euros.

The jury of the International Golden Tulip Competition, presided by Reha Erdem, comprises director Syllas Tzoumerkas, scriptwriter and producer Katayoon Shahabi, film critic Boyd Van Hoeij and director Gabe Klinger.

International Golden Tulip Competition films:

·       Chez Nous / This is Our Land / Lucas Belvaux / France-Belgium

·       Chemi Bednieri Ojakhi / My Happy Family / Nana Ekvtimishvili, Simon Gros / Georgia-Germany-France

·       Bar Bahr / In Between / Maysaloun Hamoud / Israel

·       La jeune fille sans mains / The Girl Without Hands / Sébastien Laudenbach / France

·       Weirdos / Bruce McDonald / Canada

·       Lady Macbeth / William Oldroyd / United Kingdom

·       Zer / Kazım Öz /Turkey-Germany

·       O Ornitólogo / The Ornithologist / João Pedro Rodrigues / Portugal-France-Brazil

·       Manifesto / Julian Rosefeldt / Germany-Australia

·       Estiu 1993 / Summer 1993 / Carla Simon / Spain

·       Home / Fien Troch / Belgium

·       Casting / Nicolas Wackerbarth / Germany

·       Tiere / Animals / Greg Zglinski / Switzerland-Austria-Poland

HUMAN RIGHTS IN CINEMA: THE FILM AWARD OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE (FACE)

The Film Award of the Council of Europe (FACE) is being presented only at the Istanbul Film Festival since 11 years. The FACE Award endorsed by the Council of Europe and its coproduction fund Eurimages comprises a 10,000 Euros monetary prize and a statuette. The FACE Award Jury is comprised of scriptwriter and director Jo Sol, director and actress Derya Durmaz, Council of Europe Media Officer and Spokesperson Can Fişek, and Eurimages fund project manager Susan Newman-Baudais.  

Human Rights in Cinema Competition films:

·       Last Men in Aleppo / Feras Fayyad, Steen Johannessen / Denmark-Germany

·       Félicité / Alain Gomis / France-Belgium-Senegal-Germany-Lebanon

·       Slava / Glory / Kristina Grozeva, Petar Valchanov / Bulgaria-Greece

·       Raftan / Parting / Navid Mahmoudi / Afghanistan-Iran

·       Newton /  Amit Masurkar / India

·       Mavi Sessizlik / Blue Silence / Bülent Öztürk / Turkey-Belgium

·       Exil / Exile / Rithy Panh / France-Cambodia

·       I Am Not Your Negro / Raoul Peck / USA-France-Belgium

·       Plateia Amerikis / Amerika Square / Yannis Sakaridis / Greece-Germany-United Kingdom

·       Noces / A Wedding / Stephan Streker / Belgium-Pakistan-Luxembourg-France

NATIONAL GOLDEN TULIP COMPETITION

12films that were completed in the 2016-17 season will be vying for the Golden Tulip in the National Competition of the festival, 10 of them world premieres and 1 of them Turkey premiere.

The National Golden Tulip Competition Jury chaired by The Taylan Brothers will award prizes in 9 categories: Golden Tulip Best Film, Golden Tulip Best Director, Special Jury Award, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Director of Photography, Best Editing, and Best Music.

Best Film selected by the National Competition Jury will be awarded 150,000 TL, the producer of the film winning the Special Jury Prizein memory of Onat Kutlar will be awarded 50,000 TL. The prizes for Best Actress and Best Actor will be 10.000 TL each. Best Director will be awarded 50.000 TL presented by Türk Tuborg A.Ş.

The National Competition Jury will be headed by directors The Taylan Brothers, with actor Nejat İşler, novelist, story writer and playwright Sema Kaygusuz, cinematographer Emre Erkmen, and editorÇiçek Kahraman as its members.

National Golden Tulip Competition films:

·       Taş / The Stone / Orhan Eskiköy

·       İşe Yarar Bir Şey / Something Useful / Pelin Esmer

·       Mahalle / Inside / Buğra Gülsoy, Serhat Teoman

·       Bütün Saadetler Mümkündür / All Felicities Are Possible / Selman Kılıçaslan

·       Zer / Kazım Öz

·       Kaygı / Inflame / Ceylan Özgün Özçelik

·       Mavi Sessizlik / Blue Silence / Bülent Öztürk

·       Sarı Sıcak / Yellow Heat / Fikret Reyhan

·       Murtaza / Özgür Sevimli

·       Martı / The Seagull / Erkan Tunç

·       Tereddüt / Clair Obscur / Yeşim Ustaoğlu

·       Kırık Kalpler Bankası / The Bank of Broken Hearts / Onur Ünlü

NATIONAL DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

The Istanbul Film Festival will be awarding a 10,000 TL worth Best Documentary Award, in order to support documentary film-makers and documentary film production in Turkey. The National Documentary Competition jury consists of documentarians Lusin Dink, Ayşe Polat, and Federica Di Giacomo. Seven Turkey premieres will be held within the Istanbul Film Festival National Documentary Competition. 8 of the documentaries will have their Turkey premieres at the Istanbul Film Festival.

National Documentary Competition films:

·       Mana Mou İstanbul / Nihan Arısoy

·       Son Yaprak / The Last Leaf / Handan Erdil

·       Yeşil Kırmızı / The Red Green / Ersin Kana

·       Aşk Bitti / Acabou o Amor / Love is Over / Mert Kaya

·       Sessizliğin Kardeşleri / Birayên Bêdengiyê / Brothers of Silence / Taylan Mintaş

·       Derdo Ana ve Ceviz Ağacı / Mother Derdo and The Walnut Tree / Serdar Önal

·       Üçüncü Bölgeden Hücum Varyasyonları / Attack Variations from the Third Region / Sedat Şahin, Murat Adıyaman

·       Ah / Mustafa Ünlü

·       Blue / Mehmet Sertan Ünver

NATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION

The National Short Film Competition will be held for the second time with the intent of encouraging short film making, supporting the development in this field, and bringing together the audience and short films of quality. The jury composed of directors Vincent Dieutre, Gürcan Keltek and Ziya Demirel will select the Best Short Film among 11 films which will be awarded 5,000 TL. FIPRESCI will also select a film to award the FIPRESCI Prize.

National Short Film Competition films:

·           Hinterlant / Sinan Kesova

·           Rodi / Gözde Yetişkin, Emre Sert

·           Siyah Çember / Hasan Can Dağlı

·           Evbark / Pınar Öğünç

·           Beyazperdeden Yeşil Sahaya / Özgür Demirci

·           İki Parça / Murat Uğurlu

·           Devrialem / Dilek Aydın

·           Nebile Hanımın Solucandeliği / Pınar Yorgancıoğlu

·           Zelal / Filiz Işık Bulut

·           Kot Farkı / Ayris Alptekin

·           Tavşan Kanı / Yağmur Altan

SEYFİ TEOMAN BEST DEBUT FILM PRIZE

The Istanbul Film Festival presents the Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Prize in memoriam director and producer Seyfi Teoman, who passed away in 2012. Director of the film awarded with the Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Prize will be presented 30,000 TL by CMYLMZ Fikirsanat. All the 13 debut feature fiction films from Turkey in the Turkish Cinema (National Golden Tulip Competition and “New Turkish Cinema”) sections are eligible for the prize. Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Prize jury consists of scriptwriter and director Ahu Öztürk, actress Şebnem Bozoklu and producer Sinan Yabgu Ünal.

Films to compete for the Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Award:

·           Mahalle / Inside / Buğra Gülsoy, Serhat Teoman

·           Bütün Saadetler Mümkündür / All Felicities Are Possible / Selman Kılıçaslan

·           Kaygı / Inflame / Ceylan Özgün Özçelik

·           Mavi Sessizlik / Blue Silence / Bülent Öztürk

·           Sarı Sıcak / Yellow Heat / Fikret Reyhan

·           Murtaza / Özgür Sevimli

·           Martı / The Seagull / Erkan Tunç

·           Paçi - Av Sanatı / Paçi - The Art Of Hunting / Elçin Elgür

·           Göçebe / Nomad / Emir Mavitan

·           Damat Koğuşu / Groom's Block / İlker Savaşkurt

·           Yeni Başlayanlar İçin Hayatta Kalma Sanatı / The Art Of Survival For Beginners / Burak Serbest / Turkey-Romania-Portugal

·           Orhan Pamuk’a Söylemeyin Kars’ta Çektiğim Filmde Kar Romanı da Var / Don’t Tell Orhan Pamuk That His Novel Snow Is in the Film I Made About Kars / Rıza Sönmez

·           Eşik / Verge / Erkan Tahhuşoğlu, Ayhan Salar / Turkey-Germany

FIPRESCI AWARD

The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) will award the FIPRESCI Award to a film each from the International Competition, the National Competition, and the National Short Film Competition. The FIPRESCI jury will be headed by Klaus Eder from Germany, and will include Alberto Castellano from Italy, Ofer Liebergall from Israel, Ladislav Volko from Slovakia and Abbas Bozkurt and Evrim Kaya from Turkey.

New Sections of the Festival

Cinemania

Originated from the love for the art of filmmaking, this section is constructed around “the passion for cinema,” “cinephilia,” and “Cinemania.” A portmanteau section, Cinemania comprises the highlights, the landmarks and milestones, the unforgettables of the world of cinema: masterpieces of a career in memoriam or in celebration; restored classics, lost films, cult movies, films on films, and surprises…

The Cinemania section line-up includes Abbas Kiarostami’s short film he made before he passed away last year, Take Me Home, and 76 Minutes and 15 Seconds with Abbas Kiarostami, the film about the master, directed by Kiarostami's co-worker, painter and photographer Seyfullah Samadian; Şerif Gören’s Yol written by Yılmaz Güney in Sinop Prison, to be shown in memory of Tarık Akan; the epic film of Francis Ford Coppola The Godfather to be shown in memory of Mithat Alam; Dario Argento’s best film and one of the best horror films of all time Suspiria; 1932 science fiction-horror cult film Island of Lost Souls to be shown in memory of Giovanni Scognamillo; 1984 based on George Orwell's classic novel to be shown in memory of John Hurt; Erdoğan Tokatlı’s drama Son Kuşlar / The Last Birds to be shown for the Cinema Honorary Award-recipient Selma Güneri; the original version of the cult cyberpunk manga adaptation Ghost in the Shell; one of the best films of the 2000s and the most original examples of the “new film noir” genre Mulholland Drive; and Minute Bodies: The Intimate World of F. Percy Smith directed by the frontman of Tindersticks, Stuart Staples.

Where are you my love?

Returning to the programme after a hiatus, Where Are You My Love? brings together films that say love has no age or gender and there are a thousand ways to find and look for love. Chavela, which had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, tells the story of the legendary singer Chavela Vargas, the brave, rebellious and lyrical voice; Irish scriptwriter and director John Butler’s impressive and moving coming-of-age film Handsome Devil, Bruce LaBruce’s provocative and avant-garde The Misandrists which had its first screening in Berlin, andTaekwondodirected by Marco Berger and Martín Farina are among the films in this section.

Festival’s stellar section: Galas

Istanbul Film Festival’s popular section Galas will include the Turkey premieres of 11 most anticipated films by celebrated directors and star actors. This year, the Galas section features a wide array of interesting, award-winning, and striking productions, including Personal Shopper, French director Olivier Assayas’ latest which stars Kristen Stewart; Lisa Azuelos’ Dalida which tells the tragic story of the famous singer; Rock’n Roll written, directed by and starring the acclaimed actor of the French cinema Guillaume Canet; The Midwife by Martin Provost, starring Catherine Frot and Catherine Deneuve; The Odyssey which tells the story of the relationship between “Captain” Jacques Cousteau with his son Philippe; Final Portrait, directed by veteran actor Stanley Tucci and starring Geoffrey Rush with Armie Hammer; Marc Webb’s Gifted starring Chris Evans; Ben Wheatley’s star-studded Free Fire, Jim Sheridan’s drama The Secret Scripturestarring Vanessa Redgrave and Rooney Mara, and Richard III written by and starring one of the most respected personalities of the British cinema, the veteran actor Ian McKellen, with his attendance.

Vincent Dieutre: Exercises in Solitude

The retrospective of Vincent Dieutre, the master of French experimental cinema will meet for the first time with the audience in Turkey in Vincent Dieutre: Exercises in Solitude. The audience will be able to watch films including the third episode of “Films of Europe” which Dieutre dedicates to Pasolini, Roland Wounded; focusing on several months of the Parisian refugees, Jaurés; a modern adaptation of Rossellini’s Journey to Italy, Journey into Post-history; a fragile and delicate story between France, the Netherlands and Belgium, Trilogy of Our Lives Undone; Vincent Dieutre’s first feature length film which he shot while he was writing and giving lectures at university, Rome désolée; a rediscovery of the neighbourhood he resides in Paris, Bonne Nouvelle; an emotional autobiographical documentary overlooking the 1970s Bologna, BolognaCentrale; the second episode of “Films of Europe” cycle in which Dieutre travelled to Berlin with the son of his friend, My Winter Journey; and the first episode of the “Films of Europe”, the emotional road movie Tenebrae Lessons.

A Turkish film classic, Ömer Kavur’s Motherland Hotel is on the screen with its restored copy

The Istanbul Film Festival has been running the project Turkish Classics Revisited for ten years now with the collaboration of Groupama, renovating significant works of the Turkish cinema and reintroducing them to modern viewers. This year sees the renovation of Anayurt Oteli / Motherland Hotel (1987), a film adaptation of Yusuf Atılgan’s novel of the same name directed by Ömer Kavur. The film, renovated by Fanatik Film, will meet the audience 30 years after its production. Anayurt Oteli /Motherland Hotel, regarded as Ömer Kavur’s masterpiece and accepted as one of the strongest literary adaptations in Turkish cinema, stars Macit Koper, and features Serra Yılmaz, Orhan Çağman andŞahika Tekand. The leading role Zebercet, one of the most unforgettable and iconic anti-heros of the Turkish cinema, is played by Macit Koper, one of the recipients of the Cinema Honorary Award of the Istanbul Film Festival this year. The gala screening of the restored version of Anayurt Oteli /Motherland Hotel will take place on Monday, April 10 at TİM Maslak Show Center.

Events of the festival

The 36th Istanbul Film Festival offers a dynamic schedule not only with its film programme, but also with its talks, concerts and events.

Festival Talk: Ian McKellen

Friday, 7 April, 16.00, Boğaziçi University Rectorate Conference Hall

Garnering more than 40 awards throughout his stage and film career, Sir Ian McKellen is a culture icon not only in the UK but also in the world. On stage, his memorable performances as Richard III, Napoleon and Hamlet are alongside the roles he took on in Shakespeare plays, modern theatre, fantasy or science fiction films, as well as two iconic figures: Magneto in the X-Men franchise, and Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings series. The British Council Films4Freedom Ambassador and an LGBTI activist, Ian McKellen will be meeting up at a festival talk with academic and film critic Melis Behlil, in collaboration with the British Council. Please e-mail filmcenter@boun.edu.tr for reservations.

Festival Talk: Yağmur Taylan & Durul Taylan

Wednesday, 12 April, 16.00, Salon İKSV

They have a versatility that encompasses genres such as psychological thrillers, dark comedy and period dramas both in their TV shows and films. They have also directed over 50 commercials. They currently are developing projects for Turkey-Middle East territories as well as for the United States. Heading this year’s jury for the Golden Tulip National Competition of the Istanbul Film Festival, Durul Taylan and Yağmur Taylan have accomplished on TV from Sır Dosyası / Secret Files to Muhteşem Yüzyıl / Magnificent Century, reportedly with an international audience of 200 million; and in cinema, from Okul / The School to Vavien–Best Turkish Film-winner at Istanbul Film Festival. The Taylan brothers will discuss their career in this festival talk, addressing film and TV, directing, genres and further projects. Reservations advised at rezervasyon.iksv.org to participate.

Vincent Deutre: Exercises in Solitude

Thursday, 13 April, 17.00, Pera Museum Auditorium

Vincent Dieutre’s films, which have garnered numerous awards, are both documentary and autobiographical; filled with music, painting and his own personal life, they constantly explore the borders between the cinema and contemporary art, theatrical screening and installation, and radio creation. The French experimental filmmaker who is also the part of the jury of this year’s National Short Film Competition, also has 9 films screened at this year’s festival programme in a special section. Following the screening of Bonne Nouvelle, his film about the neighbourhood he lives in Paris, Vincent Dieutre’s festival talk will take place at Pera Museum on Thursday, April 13 at 17.00. At this festival talk realised in collaboration with FOL Sinema, Dieutre will tell us about his artistic approach, and films adorned with sadness, journeys, observations of Europe, and solitude. Please make a reservation at info@folsinema.com to participate in the event.

Music from Films and Musicals

Saturday, 8 April, 21.00, Salon İKSV

In addition to the interviews and talks, a special concert themed "Music from Films and Musicals" will be realised with the participation of celebrated actors and musicians from Turkey within the scope of the 36th Istanbul Film Festival. Under the sponsorship of 100% Music, the concert will be held on Saturday evening, 8 April at Salon İKSV.

You can follow the up-to-date information on the festival events on film.iksv.org and on our social media accounts.

Meetings on the Bridge

Meetings on the Bridge, organised within the scope of the 36th Istanbul Film Festival for the 12th time, with the support of Istanbul Development Agency (ISTKA), brings filmmakers from Turkey and the neighbouring countries together with professionals from the international industry.

While providing an opportunity for filmmakers to hold the first international presentations of their new film projects at Film Development Workshop and films in post-production at Work in Progress, Meetings on the Bridge also aims to pave the way for co-productions and organises panels, master classes and forums. 

Neighbours platform was launched in 2015 in order to initiate new collaborations and enhance communication between filmmakers from Turkey and the neighbouring countries. The Neighbours platform builds a ground for institutions and individuals to co-operate while facilitating the development of common stories.

At the end of the workshop, projects and films to be selected by an international jury will be presented awards. Meetings on the Bridge Awardof 30,000 TL, Melodika Sound Post-Production Award, Mediterranean Film Institute (MFI) Script Workshop Award, and GeniusPark VFX Award will be given in Film Development Workshop; Color Up Award and Başka Sinema Award will be given in Work in Progress section. Also for the first time this year, Digiflame Post-production Award will be given in the Neighbours platform. The award reception of Meetings on the Bridge will take place on Tuesday, April 11.

Follow the festival on social media

All films in the festival programme were labelled with tags in 65 categories to ensure a smoother and easier selection process for our audiences while making their own itineraries for the Istanbul Film Festival. With this newly introduced system, you can easily distinguish the types and categories of the films with tags and choose the films you like.

You can follow all developments, all information on the films, events, and guests, and tips on the programme of the Istanbul Film Festival on our social media accounts and be the first to know. Enjoy the contests, get to know the programme well, get a chance to win surprise presents. Use the hashtag #istfilmfest17 to be part of the festival yourself. You can also access all information pertaining to the festival on İKSV Mobilapp, developed with the contributions of Vodafone Turkey and downloadable on AppStore and Google Play, and read the festival catalogue on your iPad on the İKSV Kitaplık app, downloadable on AppStore.

#istfilmfest17

#liftyourheadup

facebook.com/istanbulfilmfestivali

twitter.com/ist_filmfest

instagram.com/istfilmfest

istfilmfest.tumblr.com

youtube.com/user/iksvistanbul

When and where festival tickets go on sale

Festival tickets will be available for purchase as of Saturday, 25 March at10.30. The tickets can be purchased on Biletix sales channels and from the box offices at the Atlas and Rexx movie theatres, without any service charge.

Ticket Prices

Weekday daytime screenings (11.00, 13.30, 16.00) are only8 TL; for students only 1 TL!

Weekday 19.00 screenings and weekends (11.00, 13.30, 16.00, 19.00) are 20 TL; for students and seniors (over 65) 14 TL.

All 21.30 screenings are 20 TL.

Screenings at Pera Museum are 8 TL.

Tulip Card holders will, as always, benefit from the advance sales and special discounts up to25% on the festival tickets. During the advance sale period, tickets can be purchased at the Atlas and Rexx movie theatres, as well as from the Tulip Card Communications Centre (+90 216 556 98 56), and on the Biletix website(biletix.com) and Biletix sales points. Advance sales period for Tulip Card members: 21 March for Black and White Tulip Card members and 22-23-24 March for Red and Yellow Tulip Card members.

An essential guide for filmgoers during the festival, festival catalogue with film synopses, festival schedule, events and all the details, will be on sale for 8 TL at Atlas and Rexx movie theatres and at İKSV as of Monday, 20 March.

Students enjoy weekday daytime screenings at 1 TL

A total of 20,000 festival seats for weekday screenings at 11.00, 13.30, and 16.00 will be reserved for students for 1 TL. Please see film.iksv.org for a detailed list of patrons who have contributed towards the realisation of this project. Students who benefit from 1 TL tickets will be required to present valid student IDs at the entrance. Viewers who do not present a valid student ID will have to purchase additional tickets compensating the difference between full price and discount tickets. These tickets are limited in capacity.

Supporters of the 36th Istanbul Film Festival

The 36th Istanbul Film Festival is held with the support of more than 20 institutions. The festival is organised by the generous support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey General Directorate of Cinema. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Beşiktaş Municipality and Beyoğlu Municipality continue their publicity support for the festival.

There are 6 theme sponsors:

-     Türk Tuborg A.Ş.         “National Competition and Turkish Cinema”

-     Sabah Newspaper        “Best of the Fests”

-     ATV                             “Challenging the Years”

-     NTV                             “Documentary Time with NTV”

-     TLC                             “Antidepressant”

-     Nescafé Gold               “Young Masters”

The Istanbul Film Festival continues to reintroduce the distinguished works of the Turkish cinema on the silver screen in its “Special Screening: Turkish Classics Revisited” section, which was launched ten years ago under the sponsorship of the Groupama.

The Istanbul Film Festival continues its collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Istanbul, German Films, and Kino 2017, as it did in 2016, as well as numerous cultural institutes and foreign missions.

Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Institut Français Istanbul and many cultural institutes continue to support the festival this year.

The Leading Sponsor of all İKSV festivals is Eczacıbaşı Group, the Official Communications Sponsor is Vodafone Turkey, the Official Carrier is DHL Worldwide Express, and the Hotel Sponsor The Marmara Collection. The service sponsors are Zurich Sigorta, Memorial Health Group, Navitas, GFK, directComm and AGC.

21/29 April 2017 – Udine – Teatro Nuovo e Visionario

MADE IN HONG KONG

 The 19^th Far East Film Festival, Udine, Italy (April 21-29) will highlight 20 years of Hong Kong cinema in a specially curated programme “Creative Visions: Hong Kong Cinema 1997-2017” presented by Create Hong Kong in partnership with the Centro Espressioni Cinematografiche  which organizes the annual Far East Film Festival. The programme will kick off a series of similarly themed film programmes that Create Hong Kong is screening in 10 cities around the world to celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

“The Far East Film Festival began in 1998 with a programme of Hong Kong films,” explained the festival president Ms. Sabrina Baracetti. “The films were enthusiastically received by our audiences, not only from Italy but also from around Europe.” A highlight of the programme will be the international premiere of the 4K restored version of the first feature film by Fruit Chan. “Made in Hong Kong was one of the first films we presented from Hong Kong so we are very pleased to have been instrumental in the restoration of this seminal work. Fruit Chan has since gone on to make his name as one of Hong Kong’s leading filmmakers and producers. Fruit is a great friend of our festival and we are delighted to honour him in this way.” Fruit Chan will attend the screening of Made in Hong Kong in Udine.

Other films in the programme include works by Hong Kong filmmakers such as Johnnie To and Pang Ho-cheung, who have become regular visitors and supporters of the festival. The programme of 10 films also includes work by Ann Hui, Wong Kar-wai, and Soi Cheang among others.

“We are pleased to partner with the Centro Espressioni Cinematografiche and its Far East Film Festival which is now one of the premier showcases for popular Asian films in Europe” said Mr. Wellington Fung, Assistant Head of Create Hong Kong and Secretary-General of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, “Hong Kong filmmakers have shown themselves to be versatile and able to adapt to different trends, technologies and markets. They now make successful films in both China and Hong Kong for a range of markets. We are happy to celebrate 20 years of creativity and commercial instinct of our industry.”

Apart from the screenings, the programme will also include panel discussions with Hong Kong talents.

“Creative Visions: Hong Kong Cinema 1997-2017” is presented by Create Hong Kong, in partnership with the Centro Espressioni Cinematografiche Udine, with support from Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Brussels. For this series, the Hong Kong International Film Festival is the project manager.

Creative Visions: Hong Kong Cinema 1997-2017 is an accredited event celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).  

List of films

Made in Hong Kong (Fruit Chan, 1997)

A Simple Life (Ann Hui, 2011)

Love in a Puff (Pang Ho-cheung, 2010)

Infernal Affairs (Andrew Lau/Alan Mak, 2002)

Kung Fu Hustle (Stephen Chow, 2004)

The Grandmaster (Wong Kar-wai, 2013)

The Mission (Johnnie To, 1999)

After This Our Exile (Patrick Tam, 2006)

Ip Man (Wilson Yip, 2008)

Accident (Soi Cheang, 2009)

Create Hong Kong is a dedicated office established in June 2009 by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to lead, champion and drive the development of the creative economy in Hong Kong. It provides one-stop services and staunch support to the industries, including administration and management of funding schemes related to creative industries, providing facilitation services for location filming in Hong Kong for both local and overseas films, and is responsible for the regulatory control of special effects materials for film shooting and theatrical performances.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (HKETO, Brussels) is the official representation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to the European Union and 15 European countries, including Italy. The HKETO, Brussels promotes the bilateral relations between Italy and Hong Kong. 

Far East Film Festival is the world’s largest showcase of Asian popular cinema. More than 70 feature films in 9 days of tight screening programme, a chance to meet the artists, daily themed panel discussions and important retrospectives. Born in 1999 after the enthusiastic success achieved in 1998 by the Hong Kong Film focus, Far East Film is about to reach its 19th edition in Udine (Italy), still representing a unique opportunity to experience current trends in Eastern Asian film-making. Every year, during its nine days of screenings, Far East Film offers the chance to watch the most successful recent Asian releases as well as staging important retrospectives. In the pleasant, informal and relaxing Festival mood, the newest feature films from the Far East (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand) are presented along with tributes and focuses on specific directors.

CROSSING THE SCREEN is a new international film festival taking place in the evocative Town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, meant to showcase innovative and independent forms of visual art from all over the world. 

A successful 1^st year, in 2016, presented 81 International short films (34 UK premieres, 6 International premieres and 5 World premieres), including previous selections from Cannes IFF, Berlin IFF and Sundance IFF.
The Festival also displayed a Virtual Reality Filmmaking workshop, accredited by Creative Skillset, under the umbrella of the BFI.

CROSSING THE SCREEN 2017 (November 2017) will introduce for the first time a section for feature narrative films, running beside a strong short film programme.

Submissions for the 2017 edition are now open and will end on the 15^th of September 2017.

www.crossingthescreen.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/crossingthescreen/
Twitter: @CrossingScreen

Awards and Cash Prizes 2017:

CROSSING THE SCREEN AWARD (to the Best Overall Feature Production):
£400 + Crossing The Screen Statuette + Certificate

CROSSING THE SCREEN AWARD (to the Best Overall Short Production):
£200 + Crossing The Screen Statuette + Certificate

MMBF Rising Star Award:
£150 + MMBF plaque, opportunities to get work experience within the Film Industry (within the UK only), as well as tickets for film festivals & film related events.

BEST NARRATIVE SHORT FILM:
Award Statuette + Certificate

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM:
Award Statuette + Certificate

BEST ANIMATION SHORT FILM:
Award Statuette + Certificate

BEST EXPERIMENTAL SHORT FILM:
Award Statuette + Certificate

BEST STUDENT SHORT FILM:
Award Statuette + Certificate

BEST SUSSEX SHORT FILM:
Award Statuette + Certificate

The Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival announces what is to come for its 17th edition’s NIFFF EXTENDED. Digital creation, audiovisual storytelling and contemporary literature are but some parts of this multidisciplinary brainstorming and networking forum dedicated to the fantasy genre. It will be composed of four main events: EPIC GAME JAM, IMAGING THE FUTURE, STORYWORLDS and NEW WORLDS OF FANTASY. In addition to being a free and complementary extension of the festival, NIFFF EXTENDED will gather together around 50 Swiss and international experts who will share their vision of the genre’s future.

From March 1-12 the Film Society of Lincoln Center and UniFrance presented the 22^nd edition of this annual French Cinema film festival showcasing 23 films including new film makers and established ones exploring a broad spectrum of themes. Among special topics covered by panels and events were interaction and mutual influence of the French and American culture.  As in past editions the Rendezvous with French Cinema included many films that revived motivations for the French equivalent of the Oscars, the Cesar Award. Special events featured Agnes Varda, a free screening of an episode of the French series Call my Agent, a panel, on film as a political factor and seminar on French  film musicians and composers.

This annual fest was co-presented by the Film Society and UniFrance and supported by various French governmental ministries, Renault Nissan, TV5 Monde, the ENGINE Foundation, and other agencies. The sample of films discussed below indicate that contemporary French cinema is innovative and thought provoking, fostering a reflexive view of contemporary society and its issues.

Slack Bay , Bruno Dumont,  2016      

Slack Bay stands out as a semi-surreal depiction of the social class conflict early last century as exemplified by the comedic and awkward encounter of a bourgeois extended family and locals in a small seaside village.  In this period piece the family spends summers in their sea side home with locals providing services.  The members of the bourgeois clan are immured in their clothing and speech patterns, hardly able to engage in meaningful communication with each other, seemingly suffering from mental handicaps. This defect may be prompted by the apparent intermarriages of family members. The cast plays out the family roles in a most convincing fashion. Their counterpart is a local family carrying the well clad bourgeoisie over shallow waters when a boat is not available. The workers and their four children are not as typified as the summer visitors. They wear disheveled clothing all the time and their behavior seems natural, lacking the cardboard appearance of the summer guests.  As a brief scene in the beginning of the story reveals, the children of the workers family enjoy devouring human flesh, prepared by their mother. This food preference is tied to the mysterious disappearance of tourists from that area. The poor capture the rich and kill them for their meal times, a fate that is waiting for members of the visiting family. Among the overdrawn figures are the family members, and a bumbling obscenely obese police chief who cannot stand up without falling Slack Bay celebrates the absurd and is thoroughly enjoyable.

Raw, Julia Durcournau, 2016   

Whereas Dumont’s film is a parody of manners, Raw does not permit for rumor and comedy. Like Slack Bay though, the film is also captivating. Set across a week in contemporary society it focuses on two you women. As a sixteen year old brilliant student Justine has been admitted to a veterinary college where her parents also got their degrees. She joins there her sister Alexia who is an advanced student. During the first week of classes students engage in the traditional ritual of hazing newcomers through established pranks, degradation rituals, orgiastic parties, and submission to the commands of older students.  Justine expected only to study and is totally unprepared for the hazing. Her sister Alexia refuses to help her, supporting and embracing the forced hazing which includes eating raw meat, an abhorrent act for the vegetarian Justine.  Having digested a rabbit’s raw kidney Justine seems to begin changing. When Alexia tries to remove Justine’s pubic hair as part of the hazing she accidentally cuts her own finger off and faints. Following an impulse Justine licks the blood and enjoys eating morsels of the finger’s meat. From this point on she develops a craving for human flesh. Alexia causes a car accident to provide Justine with a body to eat, but Justine refuses.  By now she has realized that that Alexia has a cannibalistic craving.   Justine’s friend Adrien stays over with whom she had her first sexual encounter. Justine discovers in the morning hours that he is dead and much of his leg has been cannibalized. Alexia has blood all over her and Justine cleans her up. Alexia is jailed and after Justine and her father visit her they have dinner. Her father reveals the bite-marks on his chest left behind by his wife when they were young.. Raw is a superb film where all the edits and verbal exchanges have a function. Nothing is superfluous. Ducournau has ensured that all supportive elements have the desired impact; the score, the makeup; scene locations, color coordination, and special effects to mention but some. The film brings the best of independent film making.

Heal the Living  (France Belgium, 2016) 

Co-written and directed by the seasoned Katell Quillevere Heal the Living differs sharply from the surreal parody of manner of Slack Bay and the fate shaping cannibalism in Raw. It explores in two narrative components a heart transplant from a braindead teenager, Simon victim of a car accident, to a middle aged musician suffering from a degenerative heart disease while taking care of her two teenage children. Heal the Living is based on Maylis De Kerangal‘s well-received novel and its screenplay was co-written by Quillevere. The director chose an outstanding cast of actors which in turn delivered a sterling ensemble performance. The film has an outstanding score produced with the help of Alexandre Desplat and equally compelling cinematography by Tom Harari. In the earlier portions of the film Quillevere the characters of Simon, his friends, and his mother who lives separated from his father. Quillevere adopts in the latter portion a more pragmatic and seemingly detached approach in her meticulous recording of the stages of the heart transplant procedures. The presentation of the large medical staff and transport of the heart is clinical and the depiction of the reaction of the teenager’s parents and the musician’s family and close friend to the risks of the transplant somehow detached. The film avoids a melodramatic tone and succeeds instead in making the audience aware of the complexity of the themes presented by the director in her semi-documentary approach.

Claus Mueller      filmexchange@gmail.com 

PTAFF calls all filmmakers to submit their films to our 2nd annual "Artivist film fest".  We encourage filmmakers seeking to use their voice (art, film) for social change, and to advocate for justice to submit their film today.  Share your stories of injustice, triumph, victory over oppression, stories of courage in the face of adversity, gender inequality, racism, bigotry, environment and human rights.  Let the world hear your thoughts, see your vision.  Let us all answer the call to stand up for those who cannot stand for themselves.  Let us be their voice.

#VoiceoftheVoiceless

#Artivist

#ArtivistLife

November 4 – 5, 2017

Awards & Prizes

Rules & Terms

Already being hailed by The Wall Street Journal as New York City's next major film event, and as mentioned on The Huffington Post, Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema is a non-profit organization established to support the development of and help expand the audiences for independent cinema from around the globe. The inaugural festival will take place Aug. 4-13, 2017. 

The Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema was founded by four local independent filmmakers with a passion to get movies made and to have those artistic voices heard. Understanding the struggle in todays film environment in showcasing independent cinema, their goal is to establish a presence and awareness of cinematic creativity throughout Kew Gardens Queens and the neighboring communities.

As a festival created by filmmakers, we are doing everything to make sure that Independent Filmmakers get what they deserve out of a film festival. Our mission is to expand audience reach and bring awareness to films that might otherwise never have the opportunity to be showcased.

Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema accepts all lengths and genres, so we encourage filmmakers from around the globe to submit their work for a chance to have it screened in an actual movie theater, The Kew Gardens Cinemas. Built in the 1930's, it is Queens, New Yorks oldest and only operating Art House Movie Theater.

Because our festival takes place in a small town, we offer filmmakers a more intimate experience, allowing them to network with their audience and their peers. We want our filmmakers to succeed, so every filmmaker that submits their film(s) will automatically be receiving a 1 year subscription to Videomaker.com, a leading subscription service that focuses on guiding independent filmmakers with their online tutorials and publications (a $20 value). In addition all films selected will have the opportunity to transfer their film onto DCP at a remarkable discount being provided by Simple DCP, leader in DCP conversion for other major festivals, including SXSW and NewPort Beach film festival and HollyShorts.

Filmmaker recipients of the “IndiePix Vision Award” will be given an international distribution platform, potentially including release on DVD and VOD, as well as other digital opportunities. Aside from assisting with the implementation of a cohesive distribution plan, IndiePix will also support the awarded film with marketing and promotion, valuable exposure across IndiePix’s branded sites, newsletters and social media.

You can rest assured that all submitted films are watched in their entirety by our programmers, which we know is a major concern when it comes to choosing which festival to submit to. Along with our daily screenings, we plan on hosting intimate panel conversations with independent filmmakers, producers, distributors and sales agents. Something many festivals often overlook. You can expect red carpet premieres and familiar faces. The Festival staff will be hard at work promoting every film that gets accepted, to ensure that audiences attend your screening.

As a competitive festival, winners of our top categories will be receiving a unique statuette, along with additional prizes including opt in distribution opportunities, at our closing night gala.

Finally, we want this to be an amazing experience for everyone that attends - so expect to have activities such as Karaoke, Movie Trivia night, Happy Hours, Outdoor Screenings and After Parties hosted by our wonderful sponsors!

Already being hailed by The Wall Street Journal as New York City's next major film event, and as mentioned on The Huffington Post, Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema is a non-profit organization established to support the development of and help expand the audiences for independent cinema from around the globe. The inaugural festival will take place Aug. 4-13, 2017. 

The Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema was founded by four local independent filmmakers with a passion to get movies made and to have those artistic voices heard. Understanding the struggle in todays film environment in showcasing independent cinema, their goal is to establish a presence and awareness of cinematic creativity throughout Kew Gardens Queens and the neighboring communities.

As a festival created by filmmakers, we are doing everything to make sure that Independent Filmmakers get what they deserve out of a film festival. Our mission is to expand audience reach and bring awareness to films that might otherwise never have the opportunity to be showcased.

Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema accepts all lengths and genres, so we encourage filmmakers from around the globe to submit their work for a chance to have it screened in an actual movie theater, The Kew Gardens Cinemas. Built in the 1930's, it is Queens, New Yorks oldest and only operating Art House Movie Theater.

Because our festival takes place in a small town, we offer filmmakers a more intimate experience, allowing them to network with their audience and their peers. We want our filmmakers to succeed, so every filmmaker that submits their film(s) will automatically be receiving a 1 year subscription to Videomaker.com, a leading subscription service that focuses on guiding independent filmmakers with their online tutorials and publications (a $20 value). In addition all films selected will have the opportunity to transfer their film onto DCP at a remarkable discount being provided by Simple DCP, leader in DCP conversion for other major festivals, including SXSW and NewPort Beach film festival and HollyShorts.

Filmmaker recipients of the “IndiePix Vision Award” will be given an international distribution platform, potentially including release on DVD and VOD, as well as other digital opportunities. Aside from assisting with the implementation of a cohesive distribution plan, IndiePix will also support the awarded film with marketing and promotion, valuable exposure across IndiePix’s branded sites, newsletters and social media.

You can rest assured that all submitted films are watched in their entirety by our programmers, which we know is a major concern when it comes to choosing which festival to submit to. Along with our daily screenings, we plan on hosting intimate panel conversations with independent filmmakers, producers, distributors and sales agents. Something many festivals often overlook. You can expect red carpet premieres and familiar faces. The Festival staff will be hard at work promoting every film that gets accepted, to ensure that audiences attend your screening.

As a competitive festival, winners of our top categories will be receiving a unique statuette, along with additional prizes including opt in distribution opportunities, at our closing night gala.

Finally, we want this to be an amazing experience for everyone that attends - so expect to have activities such as Karaoke, Movie Trivia night, Happy Hours, Outdoor Screenings and After Parties hosted by our wonderful sponsors!

The Fajr International Film Festival has unveiled the poster for the Eastern Vista (Panorama of Films from Asian and Islamic Countries) category.

The organizers have named the 12 countries which will take part in this category: China, Japan, Turkey, India, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Bangladesh, Singapore, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Afghanistan and Jordan. Three Iranian feature length films will also vie for the Simorgh awards.

The 35th edition of Fajr International Film Festival has released the poster for 20th ifm Iranian International Market.

According to the organizers, 47 Iranian and international companies are taking part in this year’s market event, during which they will sell the rights to their Fajr-supported films and TV programs.

This year, Video Data Bank continues its longstanding collaboration with the festival. The section presents an international selection of artists’ film and video work that expands upon our notions of what the moving image can do and be. Drawing on a broad range of innovative modes and techniques, the Video Data Bank brings together a diverse offering of this year’s short, medium, and feature-length works by some of the most vital and groundbreaking filmmakers and artists.

The Film Market section will premiere 33 Iranian feature-length works with English subtitles. The idea is to give these selected films more international exposure. At least 20 distribution companies from 30 countries in the same spending bracket as the major film companies are in participation.

Two workshops are hitting the slopes at the Film Market section as well, hoping to charm young filmmakers and artists they want to bring into the fold.

The 35th edition of Fajr International Film Festival will take place from Friday 21 to Friday 28 April in Tehran.