Turkey’s sole women’s film festival begins today

The objectives of the festival are to introduce both Turkish and foreign women directors to a Turkish audience, for the audience to consider the films from a feminist perspective and to create an arena of debate regarding the experiences and problems reflected by women in cinema.

The Flying Broom Honorary Award will be presented to Suzan Avci tonight as part of the opening ceremony. The screenings will commence tomorrow. A total of 80 films will be shown as part of the 7th International Women’s Film Festival at the Kavaklidere and Kizilirmak cinemas. The festival’s complete program is available on their Web site at www.ucansupurge.org

Tickets for the festival can be obtained only from the Kizilirmak and Kavaklidere cinemas.

Once again the festival’s program is diverse, including "Our Cinema," "Each a Different Color," "A Country: Spain," "Queen with Pants: Katherine Hepburn," "Extraordinary Director of Passion: Catherine Breillat," "Third Page: Marie Trintignant," "Short Is a Must," "Panel Discussions and Talks" and the "Short Film Story Contest." A photo exhibition of female directors will also be on display throughout the festival.

The FIPRESCI (Critics Union) Award and the Bilge Olgac Success Awards will be distributed on the last day of the festival.