The 6th Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival Begins in Istanbul

According to statements by Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the 6th Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival, to be held in Istanbul from November 3 to 7, 2026, will bring many productions from the Turkic world together with film enthusiasts. Within the scope of the festival, 56 films will be screened free of charge while 30 productions will compete for awards in three different categories.

The festival, realized under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and by the International Cinema Association, is organized in Istanbul with contributions from TÜRKSOY, TRT, and the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency. The organization will bring together over 150 international guests, 300 industry professionals from Turkey, and the academic world. The opening ceremony will be held on the evening of November 3 at the Atlas Cinema, and the Kyrgyz-produced biographical film "Aytmatov", directed by Kanibek Kalmatov, will meet audiences in Turkey for the first time.

Throughout the festival, a total of 30 films—ten each in the Feature Fiction, Documentary, and Short Film categories—will compete for awards. Additionally, support will be provided to four selected cinema projects within the scope of the Turkey-Kyrgyzstan Project Presentation. A Cinema Summit will be held on November 4, and the Korkut Ata Cinema Symposium on November 5. All film screenings can be watched free of charge at the Atlas Cinema, AKM Yeşilçam Cinema, Emek Cinema, Istanbul University Faculty of Communication Cinema Hall, and Istanbul Commerce University Sadabat Hall; the closing and award ceremony will take place on the evening of November 7 at the Atatürk Cultural Center.