The “Children’s Film Festival,” organized annually by the Turkish Cinema and Audiovisual Culture Foundation (TÜRSAK) since 2004, took place from September 18-20 at the Şahinbey Congress and Art Center in Gaziantep, with the support of the Republic of Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s General Directorate of Cinema. As part of the Turkey Culture Route, young film enthusiasts enjoyed a variety of fun workshops and film screenings, engaging with culture and the arts.

The 20th edition of the Children’s Film Festival, which aims to introduce children to cinema at an early age and foster their artistic expression, was held in Gaziantep under the Culture Route Festival. The festival provided unforgettable experiences through workshops and film screenings, contributing to the artistic and cultural development of the children.

Young Film Enthusiasts Enjoyed Fun Moments at the Festival

The festival featured various enjoyable workshops, providing children with both educational insights and fun activities. The first workshop, “Acting Workshop,” led by acting coach Pembe Keçeci, attracted significant participation. Children played games with music and role-playing, not only having fun but also discovering their creative sides.

Digital media content creator Fester Abdü met with children and youth, discussing social media and content creation. Following the talk, Fester Abdü shot a video with the participants. The workshop received great interest, allowing attendees to explore the power of social media and the joys of content production. Another workshop, “Acting Workshop” by actor Tolga Canbeyli, gave children the opportunity to improve their acting skills through entertaining games and role-playing, offering a fun yet educational experience.

Led by actor and screenwriter Etem Caner Karaüç, the “Creative Writing Workshop” taught children essential writing skills, such as character creation, story structure, and crafting a beginning, middle, and end. As participants explored the magical world of writing, they had an enjoyable time. Later in the day, director Buğra Mert Alkayalar held a “Directing Workshop,” where children learned the intricacies of film and series production processes. Participants gained valuable insights into the creative process behind the scenes of cinema, inspiring them to explore the art of directing.

Entertaining Films Met Young Audiences at the 20th Children’s Film Festival

Throughout the festival, a selection of delightful films was presented to young film enthusiasts. The festival featured screenings of films such as Golden Beak and the Adventure Gang, Brave Whale Katak, The Sibling Team, Super Monkey Shimmy, My Flying Giant Adventure, My Sweet Tooth Fairy, and The Snow Queen and the Princess.

About TÜRSAK

Founded in 1991 with the participation of 215 prominent members from cinema, television, fine arts, media, business, and politics, the Turkish Cinema and Audiovisual Culture Foundation (TÜRSAK) is an autonomous foundation that has been active for 31 years.

Over the years, TÜRSAK has trained many esteemed directors, hundreds of film students, and industry professionals, contributing skilled individuals to the sector. In addition, TÜRSAK has organized numerous international festivals, film weeks, competitions, panels, seminars, symposiums, and workshops. Through its publications and productions, it has enriched the knowledge base of the cinema industry. Between 2005 and 2008, TÜRSAK organized one of Turkey’s most significant international promotional events, the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, elevating the festival to its current global stature and transforming it into a hub for filmmakers by introducing a film market.

Since its inception, TÜRSAK has adhered to its principles and values, with its primary goal being to serve the public. The foundation has raised awareness through its initiatives and contributed to the national economy. As of March 2021, TÜRSAK is led by its new board of directors under the chairmanship of Cemal Okan.