Turkish Film Festival 2017

Overview

Reboots don't just involve huge movie franchises — they can also apply to film festivals, too. When the Turkish Film Festival returns from July 5 to 16, it should feel both familiar and fresh. Indeed, the existing fest has evolved, boasting more films and more screenings in more places, plus a few special events as well.

Heading to Palace Norton Street and the Chauvel Cinema, this year's TFF will feature seven movies that showcase the current state of Turkish filmmaking. It all kicks off with Rosso Istanbul, the latest effort from Italian-Turkish director Ferzan Özpetek, before offering up everything from 2014 Cannes Palme d'Or winner Winter Sleep and photographer-focused documentary The Eye of Istanbul to The Water Diviner's Yilmaz Erdoğan and Cem Yilmaz showing off their newest flicks. The program also includes Australian-made, Turkish-set Guardians of the Strait, a doco made by an all-female crew about the narrow waterway twisting through the heart of Istanbul.

For those who want to go on a culinary journey as well as a cinematic one, The Turkish Way showcases Catalan cuisine across Turkey, with popular Istanbul chef Maksut Aşkar in attendance. As with all food-focused flicks, you'll want to grab dinner beforehand to avoid a hangry viewing experience. If the inevitable food envy wins out, you can also join chef Aşkar for a one-night only Turkish feast hosted by Efendy on July 14.