4th Int’l Red Crescent Amity Short Film Festival set to begin in Istanbul

By Aise Humeyra Bulovali

ISTANBUL (AA) - The 4th International Red Crescent Amity Short Film Festival will kick off in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul on Thursday.

The event, which will run Dec. 2-5, is being organized in collaboration with Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry, and the country's top news source Anadolu Agency is its global communication partner.

This year’s edition is dedicated to prominent Turkish-Muslim mystic and philosopher Haci Bektas Veli.

Headed by Turkish director Atalay Tasdiken, the festival’s jury consists of Georgian filmmaker Giorge Ovashvili, Kosovar director Isa Qosja, Turkish actor Serdar Orcin and Turkish academic Nazli Eda Noyan.

About 448 films from 50 countries applied for competition and non-competition sections, and 19 nominees are competing for the best film award.

As many as 11 selected films will vie for the Humanitarian Eye Section, whose winner will receive 20,000 Turkish liras (nearly $1,600).

In the Panorama Selection, awarded short films that made their premieres at important festivals around the world, will be screened.

During masterclass, Iranian director Majid Majidi will share his experiences with movie lovers at the city's Atlas Cinema on Dec. 4.

This year, the festival's Amity Honorary Award will be presented to Turkish actress Selda Alkor and director Engin Ayca.