The International Labor Film Festival (İFF) will take place between May 1–11 in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. The festival, now in its 20th year, will screen 81 films from 17 countries, all non-competitive, sponsor-free, and free of charge.
Screenings will be held in Istanbul at the Beyoğlu Cinema, French Cultural Center, Aynalı Passage, Barış Manço Cultural Center, and TAK Kadıköy; in Ankara at the Contemporary Arts Center, Association of Political Science Graduates, Chamber of Mechanical Engineers Training Center, and Kavaklıdere Cinema. In Izmir, venues include the French Cultural Center, Türkan Saylan Cultural Center, Tarık Akan Youth Center, and Karşıyaka Community Centre.
Opening Events of the International Labor Film Festival
The festival’s opening will take place on May 2 in all three cities. In Istanbul, the night will be hosted at the Atlas Cinema, featuring the screening of “Döngü” by Erkan Tahhuşoğlu. Yeşim Ustaoğlu will be presented with an honorary plaque, and set worker Ezgi Baltaş will be invited to the stage.
In Ankara, the film “Bizim İsmail” will be screened, with its director Fatin Kanat attending the event. In Izmir, the opening will also feature “Döngü”, and actress Nazan Kesal will attend as the guest of honor.
Children as a Theme at the International Labor Film Festival
This year’s festival includes a special section focusing on child labor, war, and migration. As part of this, a panel titled “Children Are Children by Their Rights” will be held in Istanbul on May 10, featuring speakers Aslı Odman and Bülent Şık.
Retrospective and Masterclass with Yeşim Ustaoğlu
The festival offers a comprehensive retrospective of Yeşim Ustaoğlu, showcasing five of her films: “Güneşe Yolculuk”, “Bulutları Beklerken”, “Pandora’nın Kutusu”, “Araf”, and “Sırtlarındaki Hayat”. On Saturday, May 10 at 15:00, a Masterclass with Ustaoğlu will be held at Aynalı Passage.
“Dargeçit” Documentary and Panel
Berke Baş’s documentary “Dargeçit” will be screened on May 10 in Istanbul. Following the screening, a panel on enforced disappearances and the pursuit of justice will be organized in collaboration with the Truth Justice Memory Center (Hafıza Merkezi).
Guests, Talks, and Panels at the International Labor Film Festival
On May 6, Swiss director Samir Spinnler will meet with the audience after the screening at the Barış Manço Cultural Center. American director Nellie Kluz will participate in Q&A sessions on May 9 at Pera and on May 10 at Aynalı Passage after the screenings of her films.
International Labor Film Festival in Ankara
The Ankara leg of the festival will be packed with panels: a literature and cinema talk with Gürsel Korat, a panel on disinformation, evaluation sessions on “O’film” and “Çark”, and discussions on editing and film language with Selda Taşkın and Prof. Dr. Serdar Öztürk. Special screenings will be held in cooperation with the Purple Path Women’s Association, METU Alumni Association, and the METU Cinema Society.
Marches and Queer Cinema in Izmir
In Izmir, the festival will kick off with the May Day march. On various days, screenings with director attendance, a Q&A for the film “Gukla”, and queer cinema events will take place. On May 5, a special screening will be held at a strike site. The festival will conclude on May 11 with the film “Işığın Hasadı” and a closing event aboard the Bergama Ferry.
