43rd Istanbul Film Festival opens with ceremony

The 43rd Istanbul Film Festival, which opened with the presentation of the Cinema Honorary Awards on April 16, will continue through April 28 with films from Türkiye and the world.

Organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV), the 43rd Istanbul Film Festival kicked off with an opening ceremony held at Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall on April 16.

During the opening ceremony of the festival, hosted by Tuğrul Tülek, the 2024 Cinema Honorary Awards, as well as the plaques of appreciation were presented to the institutions and organizations that contributed to the the festival.

The first Cinema Honorary Award was presented to veteran actress Meral Orhonsay, known for her roles in films that touch on social issues and tell women's stories.

Orhonsay, one of the legendary actors of Yeşilçam, starred in more than 60 movies, including Yılmaz Güney's "Yol," which won the Palme d'Or in Cannes, and Yavuz Özkan's "Maden." The award was presented by festival director Kerem Ayan.

This year's second Cinema Honorary Award was presented to Engin Ayça, who has contributed to the cinema industry in different fields for years. Master cinematographer Çetin Tunca presented the award to Ayça, who directed various documentary films and cultural programs and made many documentaries as well as successful fiction films.

This year, the festival will present the other Cinema Honorary Awards to two more respected names: Koji Yakusho, one of the best-known actors of Japanese cinema, and master director Wim Wenders. Three films by Wenders will be shown in the festival program.

Yakusho will also come to Istanbul due to the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Tükiye. The Koji Yakusho in...