The 43rd Istanbul Film Festival begins

Speaking at the opening program of the festival held at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, Festival Director Kerem Ayan expressed his happiness at coming together with the audience for the 43rd time.

Ayan stated that they would present honorary awards to master director of world cinema Wim Wenders and Japanese actor Koji Yakusho at the festival's closing ceremony.

Ayan noted that they held the festival's first screening 43 years ago at the Konak Cinema in Şişli, and that they have continued to hold film screenings in Beyoğlu, Şişli, and Kadıköy ever since.

At the opening ceremony, this year's Cinema Honorary Awards were also presented to director and screenwriter Engin Ayça and actress Meral Orhonsay.

Ayça, who has directed various documentary films and cultural programs, produced many successful fiction films as well as documentaries, and contributed to the training of filmmakers, said, "I would like to thank everyone very much. I thank my mother, my father, and all the friends who contributed to my work in cinema. I also thank my dear friend and wife, Gülsen Tuncer, who brought me here and carried me this far."

Meral Orhonsay, one of the Yeşilçam actresses who has acted in over 60 films and has been deemed worthy of many awards throughout her career, drew attention to the fact that master directors who have passed away, such as Zeki Ökten, Atıf Yılmaz, and Yavuz Özkan, made great contributions to Turkish cinema despite the lack of resources, saying, "Tonight, I want to commemorate them here again with respect, love, and my most sincere feelings. I also respectfully salute all our friends who contributed to all these films."

APPRECIATION PLAQUES PRESENTED

At the ceremony, Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts General Manager Görgün Taner also presented appreciation plaques to the institutions and organizations that contributed to the realization of the festival.

Following the opening, the action-comedy film "Hit Man," which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, was screened.

The 43rd Istanbul Film Festival offers a rich program consisting of 132 feature films and 12 short films, including the newest examples of world cinema, cult works, and the latest films by master directors and young talents.

For 12 days, the festival will bring cinema lovers together with film screenings, as well as interviews, special screenings, and events with the participation of guest directors and actors.