By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL -The 43rd Istanbul Film Festival gets underway the week of April 17-28 with guests Wim Wenders and Koji Yakusho. Organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV) is Turkiye’s largest film event, sponsored by N Kolay. This year’s festival features acclaimed and award-winning films from Turkiye and world cinema along with special screenings, celebrities and master filmmakers. Wenders, a major figure in New German Cinema, will be at the Istanbul Film Festival for the first time as the guest of honor in collaboration with MUBI, a global streaming service, production company and film distributor who champions visionary films. Three of Wender’s films will be featured including Anselm that premiered at Cannes, exploring the life and artistic journey of German artist Anselm Kiefer. One of Japan’s most famous actors Koji Yakusho and an Oscar nominee will also be at the festival which where four of his films will be screened. Those include 13 Assassins, Under The Open Sky, Shall We Dance and Perfect Days. Yakusho will be here to honor the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkiye. Prior to the screenings, both Wenders and Yakusho will be awared a Cinema Honorary Award by the festival and presented by well-known Turkish actress Meral Orhonsay and multi-talented filmmaker Engin Ayca at the Opening Ceremony on April 16.
The 2024 program consists of 132 feature and 12 short films that include current films of master directors and new young talent as well as cult titles and plenty of world cinema. There will be a host of film screenings, talks with guest directors and actors along with special events and special screenings. IKSV General Director Gorgun Taner said how crucial it is for Turkiye to support “science and arts, while also providing mechanisms that foster high-quality productions in these fields.” Taner added: “We belive we are doing our part in this, and we take pride in sustaining a robust, international and pioneering event with the Istanbul Film Festival, which has opened up new horizons for not just one, but many generations.” Taner also emphasized how crucial the support of sponsors is “especially festival sponsors” and said it’s because of “contributions of our supporters that we provide our audiences with thought-provoking and high-quality content and artists with creative platforms of expression to support their works.” Taner expressed gratitude to N Kolay for their sponsorship of this year’s film festival, adding: “We are happy that through our collaboration with N Kolay, we will be able to ensure the festival becomes stronger and reaches a wide range of audiences.” CEO of Aktif Bank Aysegul Adaca Ogan said: “In our 25th year, we are excited to contribute with our digital bank N Kolay to the Istanbul Film Festival, which has been organized for 43 years by IKSV, a heart and soul of our country’s culture and art scene.”
