Ayvalık International Film Festival

The 5th Ayvalık International Film Festival commenced in the Ayvalık district of Balıkesir, Turkey, running from September 14 to 20. Organized by the Seyir Association and the Ayvalık Municipality, the event features 76 films from various countries.

Distinguished by a non-competitive format and the absence of red carpets, the festival aims to foster a close connection between filmmakers and the public. Festival Director Azize Tan noted that the event’s growth is driven by the support of the local community, businesses, and the cinema industry.

The festival opened with the Turkish premiere of Pedro Almodóvar’s ‘Bitter Christmas’ (Buruk Noel). This year also introduced the ‘Kahve İçen Yorulmaz Geleceğin Sinemacıları Ödülü’ (The Tireless Coffee-Drinking Future Filmmakers Award), a 200,000 TL prize sponsored by Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi. The inaugural recipient of this award was Melik Kuru for the film ‘İsimsiz Eserler Mezarlığı’.

In addition to international selections such as ‘I Want You’, ‘Grand Tour’, ‘Hope’, and ‘Ida’, the program includes panels, discussions, concerts, workshops, and free children’s screenings in the Yeni Mahalle district.