The Ayvalık International Film Festival, organised by the Eye Society in collaboration with the Ayvalık Municipality, will take place between 17 and 22 September. The festival has announced the first films in its lineup, including award-winning productions from the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, which will be screened for the first time in Turkey during this festival.
Several highly anticipated films from the Cannes Film Festival will have their Turkish premieres at the Ayvalık International Film Festival. These include Miguel Gomes’ Grand Tour, awarded Best Director; Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, awarded Best Screenplay; Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light, which took home the Grand Jury Prize; Mohammad Rasoulof’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig, recognised with the Special Jury Prize; and Ali Abbasi’s Palme d’Or contender The Apprentice. Also included in the programme are Christophe Honoré’s Marcello Mio and Paolo Sorrentino’s new film Parthenope.
Directed by the Portuguese director Miguel Gomes, known for Tabu and the Arabian Nights trilogy, Grand Tour is a captivating period drama set in 1918. The film follows Edward, who, on the eve of his wedding, runs away from his fiancée Molly and embarks on a famed tour of Asia. The narrative becomes a dual journey as Molly sets off in search of Edward, offering audiences a unique opportunity to experience the same journey from two different perspectives. Shot entirely in black and white, the film’s powerful cinematography vividly captures the spirit of the era. The lead role is portrayed by Gonçalo Waddington, with Crista Alfaiate and Teresa Madruga delivering compelling performances in supporting roles.
Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance is a thought-provoking exploration of the societal pressures surrounding beauty and youth, particularly as they pertain to women. The film is a sharp critique of age and gender discrimination with a narrative that centres on an award-winning former actress who, feeling the weight of these pressures, decides to use a product that promises to create a younger and more beautiful version of herself. The Substance delivers powerful performances of Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, who bring depth to their roles. Fargeat, known for incorporating thriller elements in her 2017 debut Revenge, employs a similarly intense and uncompromising cinematic language in The Substance to underscore the harsh realities faced by women.
All We Imagine as Light, directed by Payal Kapadia—the first Indian female director in 30 years to compete in the main competition at Cannes—is a poignant exploration of the lives of three nurses in Mumbai, each at different stages of their lives. Prabha is a woman bound by loyalty to her husband, whom she married through an arranged marriage but has not seen or heard from in a year due to her work commitments. Anu is a young and spirited woman navigating the challenges of finding moments of intimacy with her lover in a city that offers little privacy. Parvaty faces the threat of eviction from her home due to the absence of crucial documents left by her deceased husband, and she fights to secure her rights. Mumbai itself serves as a fourth character in the film—an overpopulated city teeming with contradictions, where the struggle for visibility and existence is a daily battle. Through the stories of the women, portrayed by Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha and Chhaya Kadam, All We Imagine as Light paints a vivid picture of resilience and solidarity in a society that often overlooks them.
Director Mohammad Rasoulof’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig is an evocative film reflecting the socio-political tensions within Iran. Sentenced to a long prison term and subsequently fled his country, Rasoulof draws on real events and people to construct a microcosm of Iranian society through this narrative. The film centres on a judge and his family who navigate the complexities of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. Through their story, Rasoulof sheds light on the deep divisions and complicity within the privileged classes, the Iranian theocracy, and the regime's oppressive stance towards women. Starring Soheila Golestani and Missagh Zareh, The Seed of the Sacred Fig provides a critical examination of the systemic challenges faced by those living under such a regime.
Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope marks a notable return to his hometown of Naples, following his critically acclaimed 2021 film The Hand of God. This new film, named after the mythological siren associated with Naples, is Sorrentino's first exploration of female-centric narratives. In Parthenope, Sorrentino delves into themes of beauty and youth, portraying how women grapple with societal expectations and struggle to assert their identities beyond superficial judgments. The story focuses on Parthenope, played by Celeste Dalla Porta, who strives to demonstrate that she is more than her physical appearance. In a poignant yet brief role, Gary Oldman portrays John Cheveer, an alcoholic writer, adding depth to the narrative with his performance.
Ali Abbasi, renowned for his films Border and Holy Spider, brings a new biographical drama to the screen with The Apprentice. This film explores Donald Trump’s early years and the formative experiences that shaped his rise to power. Written by Gabriel Sherman, known for his bestselling book on Trump, The Apprentice stars Sebastian Stan as the young Trump. Jeremy Strong, acclaimed for his role in the TV show Succession, portrays Roy Cohn, the formidable lawyer whose influence was crucial in Trump’s ascent during the McCarthy era. The film promises an in-depth look at the intersections of power, ambition, and influence in shaping Trump’s career.
Directed by Christophe Honoré, Marcello Mio is a comedic and heartfelt homage to the iconic actor Marcello Mastroianni. In this film, Chiara Mastroianni explores the challenges of living in the shadow of her famous parents, Marcello Mastroianni and Catherine Deneuve. Her character experiences an ego crisis, leading her to adopt her father’s persona and appearance. The film also features Catherine Deneuve, Melvil Poupaud, and Benjamin Biolay playing themselves, blending personal reflection with a touch of humour.
The Ayvalık International Film Festival poster and "A New…" Rising Star Award Juries Announced
The Ayvalık International Film Festival, organised by the Eye Society in collaboration with Ayvalık Municipality, is set to take place between September 17 and 22. The festival will showcase a selection of the year's most intriguing films from Turkey and around the globe. In addition to the screenings, the festival will feature panels discussing various aspects of cinema, a Young Cinema programme, and Eye Society Children’s Day. Preparations are well underway for what promises to be a vibrant celebration of cinema.
The Ayvalık International Film Festival is committed to connecting with its host city, and this year’s poster reflects that ethos, too. Artists from Ayvalık were invited to contribute to the design, with inspiration drawn from South Korean artist Hyseung Lee, who has made the city her home. This collaboration highlights the festival’s dedication to integrating local artistic talent.
The "A New …" Rising Star Award, presented for the third time at the Ayvalık International Film Festival with the support of Mey|Diageo, will honour emerging talent with a 75,000 TL prize. The juries, which include Belmin Söylemez, Ali Aga, Anna Maria Aslanoğlu, Asu Maro, and Nezaket Erden, will announce the winner on the festival’s opening night.
The festival poster is ready
For the third consecutive year, the Ayvalık International Film Festival’s poster features artwork by an artist residing in Ayvalık. This year’s poster showcases a striking sea horse inspired by the Aegean Sea and created by South Korean artist Hyseung Lee. The visual design of the poster was prepared by Erdem Yılmaz.
Hyseung Lee reflects on her work during the pandemic lockdown, stating, “When I enlarged a 2-centimetre seahorse to 160 centimetres, its unique shape and colour came to the forefront, revealing its extraordinary character. During a time when confined to our homes, this surreal creature transported me to a world of fantasy.”
The Ayvalık International Film Festival will continue to connect viewers with extraordinary characters, stories, and filmmakers from around the world, mirroring the unique and fantastical seahorse featured on this year’s poster.
The "A New …" Rising Star Award, sponsored by Mey|Diageo, returns for its third year at the Ayvalık International Film Festival!
The "A New …" Rising Star Award at the Ayvalık International Film Festival honours emerging talent in cinema across various categories, including directors, actors, screenwriters, editors, sound designers and more. The award aims to support and encourage new filmmakers for their achievements. In 2022, it was awarded to director Ziya Demirel for Ela and Hilmi with Ali / Ela ile Hilmi ve Ali, and in 2023, to director-screenwriter Umut Subaşı for Almost Entirely A Slight Disaster / Sanki Her Şey Biraz Felaket.
The winner of the 75,000 TL “A New …” Rising Star Award, sponsored by Mey|Diageo, will be announced on the opening night of the festival on 17 September. Mey|Diageo, known for its commitment to supporting culture and art, continues to contribute to the field with this annual award. This year’s juries for the award include director and screenwriter Belmin Söylemez, editor Ali Aga, producer Anna Maria Aslanoğlu, journalist Asu Maro, and actor Nezaket Erden.
Festival Tickets go on sale on September 7
The Ayvalik International Film Festival will kick off with an opening night at the Ayvalik Municipality Büyük Park Amphitheatre on September 17. Screenings throughout the festival will be held at several venues: Ayvalik Municipality Vural Cinema Nejat Uygur Stage, Fabrika Ayvalık, Ismet Inonu Cultural Centre, ASKEV Sera, and Kirlangic Ayvalik. Ticket sales will begin on September 7, pre-sale tickets prices will be 80 TL for studens and senior citizens and regular tickets will be 120 TL. Prices will be 100 TL and 150 TL, respectively, after September 17.
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