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Bellekvari: KuirFest’in Sözlü Tarihi

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Special Film Screenings

Bellekvari: KuirFest’in Sözlü Tarihi

Asya Leman, Çağla Sumru

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Türkiye

Ankara KuirFest transforms its 14-year history of resistance and solidarity into a queer memory space through its founders, volunteers, and artists. Despite increasing bans, the festival's continued existence as a form of cultural resistance lies at the heart of the documentary. The film makes visible both the personal and collective dimensions of queer existence by declaring, ‘We are here, we remember, we resist.’ Memory-like; a queer memory laboratory, a solidarity manifesto, and a living archive built with hope in defiance of every ban.

Thursday, January 22, 2026

20:00

Fransız Kültür Merkezi

Maestro’s hands

International Short Film Competition

Maestro’s hands

Aleksey Barykin

He has amazing hands. With the most delicate gestures he directs a symphony orchestra. He worked with great people: Maya Plisetskaya, Rodion Shchedrin, Mstislav Rostropovich. He conducted at the Bolshoi Theater, the Bavarian Ballet, the Royal Swedish Opera. One of the best conductors in the world, Renat Salavatov shares the secrets of his mastery.
Mexico Day Zero

International Feature Film Competition

Mexico Day Zero

Pablo Siciliano

Are you aware that Mexico is the world's number one consumer of bottled water? This film brings awareness to the water crisis in Mexico and the ways to solve it, interweaving visual poetry and the reasons for the problem.
CAHİDE SONKU "Türkiye's First Female Producer and Director"

Student Documentaries from Türkiye

CAHİDE SONKU "Türkiye's First Female Producer and Director"

Nurullah Güzel

Our film aims to introduce the life of Cahide Sonku to students of the Radio, Television, and Cinema department. In this context, it focuses on examining the historical development of Turkish cinema to better understand Cahide Sonku and to inspire future generations through her story. Cahide Sonku’s cinema career is important not only because of her success in the arts but also because it reveals the role of women and gender dynamics in Turkish cinema and the art world in general. Her life and contributions help us develop a deeper understanding of women’s presence in the film industry. As a result, this documentary will add meaningful value to the literature by focusing on Cahide Sonku’s unique contributions to cinema.
The Last Nest

Documentaries from Türkiye - Out-of-Competition Selection

The Last Nest

Hasan Hüseyin Alkan

"Son Yuva" (The Last Nest) tells the story of Ahmet Karakaya, a shepherd in Anatolia facing the harsh impact of the climate crisis. Torn between leaving his homeland or staying to fight for it, Ahmet must make a difficult choice. His struggle reflects the profound and universal disruptions caused by climate change, as well as the resilience required to face an uncertain future.
NONE

Student Documentaries from Türkiye

NONE

Ezel Manay

"NONE" is a black-and-white documentary that explores an inner journey during the Şebi Aruz night. The film captures moments in the backstreets of Konya, where divine love and music intertwine. Focusing on this special night, it highlights how people from diverse cultures express their emotions through music. What seems like a celebration from the outside transforms into a profound spiritual quest and an exploration of the universal language of love. The film reveals the power of music to unite souls, emphasizing the common thread found in each culture's unique sound. "Hiç" offers an emotional experience that invites viewers on a journey not only through visuals but also through deep emotional discovery.
It Was Nice to Meet You

Documentaries from Türkiye

It Was Nice to Meet You

Jehan Barbur, Güneş Kazdal

World Premiere: Antalya Film Festival Documentary Competition This mid-length documentary follows Deniz (28) and Can (30), two siblings with SMA who are bedridden and live with the support of their mother, Aysel. Highlighting issues such as societal neglect, restricted rights, and equality, the film aims to raise awareness. After losing their home in the Maraş earthquake, the family now resides in a relative’s house in Alaçatı. Through five days of interviews and observations, the documentary sheds light on their lives and perspectives.
Thank You Kaf Kaf (With the Director in Attendance)

Special Film Screenings

Thank You Kaf Kaf (With the Director in Attendance)

Ömer Gümüşe

Through the eyes of the Karşıyaka Sports Club announcer, we witness the club's story, its history and culture, touching on the passion of its supporters, in an unconventional account of Karşıyaka Sports Club's one-season tale.
Mosaic

Student Documentaries from Türkiye

Mosaic

Ibrahim Ayoub

Dive into the mesmerizing world of architecture through "Mosaic," a captivating film that pays homage to the intricate patterns and designs that defined an empire. Using innovative stop-motion animation, "Mosaic" invites audiences on a visual journey through the majestic beauty of architecture, where every stone tells a story and every tile is a piece of art. As the camera seamlessly glides through elaborate mosques, palaces, and bazaars, viewers are immersed in the rich history and cultural significance of these architectural marvels. "Mosaic" celebrates the timeless beauty and craftsmanship of architecture. Prepare to be transported to a world where history comes to life in every meticulously crafted frame.
Foto Akgün

Student Documentaries from Türkiye

Foto Akgün

Fidan Çaça

A tribute to Mehmet Akgün, a camera repairman in Konya who has been restoring memories for nearly 50 years. Foto Akgün tells the inspiring story of resilience, craftsmanship, and passion—despite physical limitations.
Enemy Number Three

International Short Film Competition

Enemy Number Three

Vladimir Sumashedov

During World War II, artist and photo montage master Alexander Zhytomyrsky uses his art to convince the enemy to end the bloodshed. Propaganda leaflets — passports to surrender — are dropped from planes in millions, aimed at soldiers on the front lines. Unlike bombs, they do not take lives, they are meant to save them. The creator of these leaflets works hard every day to see the humanity in his enemy amidst the hatred. Will he be able to preserve his talent and himself in this struggle?
Songs of Fraternity

Yönetmenlerin Katılımıyla

Songs of Fraternity

Çayan Demirel, Ayşe Çetinbaş

"Songs of Fraternity” is a feature-length project that tells the musical and political journey of the ‘Kardeş Türküler Project, which started within the Boğaziçi University Folklore Club in 1993… in a way a chronicle of“togetherness”, children, women, trees, rivers, a fraternity of cultures and languages that cannot be divided by borders. Not only languages, but history, culture, poetry, writers and artists meet on the stage: Hrant Dink, Neşet Ertaş, Reem Kelani, Sezen Aksu, Arto Tunçboyacıyan, Sayat Nova choir, the list goes on… So this movie brings forward for the first time the 30-year old story of Kardeş Türküler as they navigate and reflect with their music the political and social realities of the recent history of Turkey.
Not My Film

International Short Film Competition

Not My Film

Astra Zoldnere

What happens if older people challenge stereotypes in films about aging? Six seniors re-perform scenes of poor health, sexual invisibility, and gendered stereotypes of the wise old man and the bad witch. Toward the end of the film, the participants rebel against these cinematic images, proving that older age can be associated with love, sexuality, and self-revelation.
Under my Mother's Roof

Best International Experimental Documentary Film

Under my Mother's Roof

Christian Abi Abboud

A film where fiction and reality collide; Richard and Kim decide to cowrite with the filmmaker, pieces of their future lives together. “Under my mother’s roof” is a portrait of a man who is facing his biggest fear; the diagnoses of his love with autism. A journey which will lead him back to his childhood biggest trauma, the loss of his mother.
Baghdad Graphic

International Short Film Competition

Baghdad Graphic

D.K. Odessa

Based on fragments from a never finished graphic novel, Baghdad Graphic presents an unflinching account of an Iraqi journalist and his desperate effort to survive the invasion of his country. An intensely personal portrait of the costs of war.
Forty Days Road

International Short Film Competition

Forty Days Road

Ali Ziani

In Forty Days Road, two colleagues (Ali and Ian) set out on a captivating journey across Egypt to trace the long route of camels traveling from Sudan to a market near Cairo. Along the way, they uncover the tough conditions of transport and join the camels on a 24-hour journey from the Sudanese border to one of the biggest Egyptian camel market near Cairo.
Kuşgözü Grubu Gösterimleri

Belgesel Fotoğraf Gösterimleri

Kuşgözü Grubu Gösterimleri

Kuşgözü

The Land In Between

International Experimental Film Competition

The Land In Between

Yilu Zhou

In a remote village in Xinjiang, language lost creates a quiet barrier between generations. Mountains, wrinkles, songs, children’s eyes—a bond beyond words lingers in the air.
Mother of Snow Cranes

En İyi Uluslararası Uzun Metraj Belgesel Film

Mother of Snow Cranes

Iiris Härmä

Over 90 years old, Ellen Vuosalo has lived many lives. First as a Finnish immigrant in Canada, then as an American citizen and student of zoology at UCLA and finally as a Mother of Cranes in Iran. Iiris Härmä's Mother of Snow Cranes tells the story of an incredible woman's extraordinary life, from love to tragedy to revolution. It is a story about nature, humanity, and the role of women in both the West and Iranian culture. Or as Ellen herself says " What a life! What a world!" Reference story: Unlike the world famous story of Betty Mahmoody (NOT WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER, 1991), MOTHER OF SNOW CRANES tells the story of the Western woman who had to stay in Iran and later who decided to stay. Our production company Guerilla Films has produced award-winning documentary films for international broadcasters (YLE, SVT, NHK, ARTE, NETFLIX etc.), cinemas and film festivals for more than 20 years. Mother of Snow Cranes (orig. Kurkien äiti) Duration: 78 mins Director: Iiris Härmä Producer: Visa Koiso-Kanttila/ Guerilla Films Production Country Finland Filming location Iran Release Date: Cinematic release in Finland September 2024.
Bir Ömür Deniz

Özel Film Gösterimleri

Bir Ömür Deniz

Ahmet Özkan, Veyis Polat

This film views the sea not as a landscape, but as a living space. Here, the sea is not a romantic backdrop; it is a life woven with sweat, patience and repetition. We approach Mavişehir Fishermen's Shelter not as a place, but as a memory. This harbour, whose location has changed with the filling of the shores, bears the traces of over a century of labour. Against concrete, time and transformation, we defend the continuity of the relationship established with the sea. This manifesto aims to make the great stories of small boats visible. The labour of fishermen who set sail in boats less than seven metres long is a form of living knowledge that is in danger of being forgotten in the shadow of industrial production. We stand against the loss of this knowledge. Repeating the mending of nets, the threading of needles, the setting out to sea before dawn... Because repetition here is not ordinary; it is resistance. This order, re-established every day, is an expression of the ancient covenant between man and the sea. While telling the story of the fishermen, this film focuses on silence, modesty, and the power of collective production. It sees accepting what the sea provides as a virtue. We take on the responsibility of photography, the camera, and witnessing. We advocate not just looking, but seeing; not just recording, but understanding. A Lifetime at Sea is not an elegy for the past; it is a mark left for the future. As long as this way of life built with the sea continues, cultural memory will also continue to live on. Some lives are not written on land, but in the wake of the waves.
Back to the Land

Documentaries from Türkiye

Back to the Land

Kerem Kurtuluş

Tevfik, who moved to New York with his family at the age of 2, relocated to his grandfather's home in Rize, where his father was born, at the age of 35 and started a new life there. Tevfik has been living in Rize for 19 years and is now the father of two children, working in agriculture. He sustains his life by producing tea and kiwi.
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