International Antalya Film Festival

53^rd INTERNATIONAL ANTALYA FILM FESTIVAL

Opened on Sunday October 16^th to a star studded black tie event was broadcast live from the Turkish Riviera.  Hosted by Festival President: Menderes Türel, The Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and Festival Director Elif Dağdeviren, IAFF is one of the oldest and most popular film festivals in Europe and Asia, where glamor and art mingled with cinephiles and international film professionals for the week-long event in October 16-23, 2016. 

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The Light of Cinema Shines from Antalya

The capital of the Turkish Riviera, Antalya has hosted this prestigious event for 53 years which attracts celebrities from around the global bringing glitz to the chic resort.  This year the festival opened with Hugh Hudson’s ALTAMIRA, starring Antonio Banderas followed by a special screening of Tran Anh Hung’s ETERNITY, starring Audrey Tautou.  The star-studded day featured guests from around the world including star Audrey Tautou, along with Andie MacDowell, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, George Hamilton, Wash Westmoreland, John Savage, Esai Morales, Rutger Hauer, and Connie Nielsen who mixed with the finest Turkish talent including the likes of Semih Kaplanoğlu, Beste Bereket, Mehmet Özgür, Nursel Kose, Nesrin Cavadzade and Palestinian-Jordanian filmmaker Najwar Najjar.

At the evening ceremony IAFF presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Turkish music star Emel Sayin, and Honorary Awards were given to renowned Turkish talent Feyzi Tuna, Yılmaz Gruda and special Labor Awards were presented to Dubbing Artists Altan Karındaş, Toron Karacaoğlu for their invaluable service to the industry.  Darling French actress Audrey Tautou received the Golden Orange Honorary Award.

An Extensive Festival Program

IAFF has been steadily growing and this year over 130 films will be screened in seven venues around the historic city including the premiere theater Aspendos at the Antalya Cultural Center.  Other hosting venues include the recently renovated Glass Pyramid, which will be home to the festival center and the EXPO 2016 Congress Center where both Opening and Closing ceremonies will take place.  During the 8-day event, IAFF will present features, documentaries and shorts from local and international filmmakers.  The prestigious National and International Feature Film Competition will showcase 20 stories that bring to the spotlight socially responsible and politically engaging fare.  The international selection this year represents a gender balanced list of filmmakers competing for the esteemed Golden Orange Award with four women filmmakers and two films co-directed by women.

Power of Cinema and its Social Responsibility

IAFF takes its social responsibility very seriously and this year the festival will present two special sidebars featuring films from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Italy and Turkey that put the spotlight on current events that is a universal issue facing humanity.  Films from “People of Nowhere,” showcases five films that share the plight of refugees and their struggle to maintain their dignity under extraordinary circumstances.  “The Sun’s Eclipse” is a tribute to democratic resistance to the recent failed Coup attempt and features seven films that explore the relationship between Coups, democracy and human rights. 

Antalya Film Forum and Film Tomorrow TMR (Talent & Marketing Rounds)

In its third year under the direction of Award winning producer Zeynep Atakan, Antalya Film Forum has become an integral part of the annual festivities.  The four-day event was established to support filmmakers during development and production stages of their films.  Since its inception, AFF has awarded over 1,000,000 TL to writers, directors, producers from Turkey and European countries.  AFF also provides opportunities for filmmakers to connect with industry professionals and offers Master Classes with Award-winning directors and producers to share expertise.

Initiated last year by Festival Director Elif Dağdeviren, Film Tomorrow was created to provide a platform for Turkish filmmakers to secure sales & distribution for their finished films.  The four-day conference includes workshops, panels, round-table networking opportunities with industry professional, sales reps and buyers.

Additional info:

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