14th Bosphorus Film Festival Kicks Off with Opening Ceremony

The 14th Bosphorus Film Festival started with an opening ceremony featuring opening speeches and the screening of the film "Diva: Umm Kulthum," which depicts the life of Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum. More than 60 films will be presented to cinema enthusiasts throughout the festival.

The opening ceremony was attended by Birol Güven, General Manager of Cinema at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism; Amir Faiz Ahmed Mahmud, Cultural Attaché of the Egyptian Consulate; Faruk Güven, TRT Cinema Manager; Mahmut Özdil, President of the Turkish Maarif Foundation; Elif Alaçam, Turkcell Corporate Sponsorships Manager; and Ömer Faruk Sarımermer, Türkmedya Corporate Communications Director, along with guests from the worlds of cinema and art. In addition to National Feature Film, International Feature Film, Short Film, and National Documentary Film competitions as well as special screenings, the opening film of the festival was "Diva: Umm Kulthum" (El Sett: Umm Kulthum).

Ogün Şanlıer, Chairman of the Board of the Bosphorus Arts and Culture Foundation and Festival President, expressed his excitement at meeting moviegoers for the 14th time, while Festival Artistic Director Enes Erbay stated that they attached importance to diversity while preparing the selection. Iranian director Majid Majidi assumed the presidency of the International Feature Film Competition Jury, while Özer Feyzioğlu served as the jury president for the National Feature Film Competition. It was announced that screenings will take place until November 15 at Atlas Cinema, AKM Yeşilçam Cinema, and World Cinezone Grandpera.