By Aise Humeyra Akgun
ISTANBUL (AA) - The 12th Bosphorus Film Festival, organized by the Bosphorus Culture and Arts Foundation, commenced Friday with an opening ceremony at the historic Atlas 1948 Cinema in Istanbul.
The event, for which Anadolu serves as the global communication partner, attracted notable figures from the cultural and arts world, including government officials.
The festival showcases a diverse range of international films, including entries from Peru, Argentina, Canada and Nepal.
The festival’s chairman Ogün Sanlier highlighted the event's resilience, having persevered for 12 years despite challenges such as the coronavirus pandemic, earthquakes and economic difficulties. He emphasized the festival's growth, noting its significance in Türkiye and especially Istanbul's cinematic landscape.
The festival's artistic director Enes Erbay acknowledged the current global challenges, particularly the situation in Palestine, expressing hope that cinema would serve as a unifying force for empathy and understanding.
This year's festival features 10 films in the National Feature Film Competition, including world and Turkish premieres.
The non-competition selection focuses on giving a voice to overlooked regions, with an emphasis on Palestine.
The festival, running until Oct. 25, will also host special presentations under the Bosphorus Talks banner.
Detailed program information is available on the festival's website.