Ayvalık International Film Festival to feature 76 films

The 5th Ayvalık International Film Festival is scheduled to take place from September 14 to 20 in the Ayvalık district of Balıkesir. Organized by the Seyir Association in collaboration with the Ayvalık Municipality, the event will feature 76 films from various countries.

The festival will open with the Turkish premiere of Pedro Almodóvar’s film ‘Bitter Christmas’ (Buruk Noel), which competed at the Cannes Film Festival. The international selection includes award-winning works such as Gregg Araki’s ‘I Want You’, Valeska Grisebach’s ‘Grand Tour’, Na Hong-jin’s ‘Hope’, and Pawel Pawlikowski’s ‘Ida’.

In addition to film screenings, the program includes panels, discussions, concerts, and various side events. Ayvalık Mayor Mesut Ergin noted that the festival serves to connect the city with the universal language of cinema, utilizing the town's historical and cultural atmosphere.