Festival Program

About the Festival

Founded as an independent, not-for-profit initiative, the Toronto Turkish Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing arthouse and independent cinema from Türkiye and its diasporas. The festival seeks to create an accessible cultural space where film is engaged not only as entertainment, but as a medium for artistic expression, social inquiry, and intellectual exchange.

The festival is held annually and developed by a team of cultural workers, academics, film critics, curators, and volunteers committed to fostering film culture and critical engagement in Toronto.

What to Expect

• Feature Film Screenings: Contemporary fiction films by established and emerging directors

• Documentaries: Social, political, and global stories exploring diverse perspectives

• Short Films: A platform for emerging voices and experimental work

• Talks & Q&A Sessions: Conversations with filmmakers, critics, and scholars

• Special Events: Opening and closing events, curated discussions, and partner programming

Curatorial Approach

The Toronto Turkish Film Festival is guided by a curatorial approach that emphasizes artistic integrity, critical inquiry, and diverse perspectives within contemporary Turkish cinema. Rather than centring commercial releases, the festival prioritizes independent and arthouse works that encourage reflection, dialogue, and discussion.

Programming decisions are shaped by film scholarship, critical writing, and cultural research, with careful attention to both established voices and emerging filmmakers.

2026 Festival Program

Toronto | June 19–21, 2026