“Kyrgyz Film Days in Türkiye” started in Istanbul with the screening of “Kara Kızıl Sarı” (“Black, Red, Yellow”), which won the “Best Film” award at the 2025 Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) ahead of the event held at Atlas Cinema, Muhammet Faruk Bayram, head of the Department of International Relations at the General Directorate of Cinema of Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said such events are organized in regions with shared historical and cultural values.

Bayram noted that significant efforts are underway to promote Turkish cinema abroad and to bring industry stakeholders together.

“This time, we took the initiative and participated in organizing such events in Istanbul, Türkiye. Three major productions from Kyrgyzstan will be presented to audiences here. We are very pleased to host them. We hope to continue such events with our partner countries in Central Asia as well,” he said.

He added that the event aims to bring Kyrgyz producers and directors together with Turkish industry professionals to establish important collaborations.

- “We will start holding the ‘Oscars of Central Asia’ in Türkiye”

Metin Gündoğdu, chairman of the Yerel Düşünce Association and a former AK Party lawmaker, said they have been organizing film days in Kyrgyzstan for the past 10 years, noting that such events help strengthen brotherhood and cultural ties between the two countries.

Highlighting the importance of films in cultural transmission, he said:

“Through films, people reveal how life is lived in Anatolia and Kyrgyzstan. These films tell stories of their struggles, hardships and concerns. They show how much we have in common. All these festivals represent cultural interaction. The Oscars are not only in Europe or France. We will begin organizing the ‘Oscars of Central Asia’ in Türkiye. The Korkut Ata Film Festival will be held in Türkiye in November. These events strengthen the brotherhood and cultural ties between our countries, and therefore should continue to expand.”

Nuraly Bayterekov, deputy director of the Cinematography Department at Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Culture, Information and Youth Policy, emphasized the significance of the event for both nations.

Expressing readiness for joint productions, he said:

“Our goal is to strengthen communication between our countries and introduce our traditions to the Turkish people. Events promoting Turkish cinema have been held in Kyrgyzstan. Today, we are presenting Kyrgyz cinema and our civilization in Türkiye. This will further strengthen relations between our countries.”

- “We are all Turks, and we share the same roots”

Aktan Arym Kubat, director of the opening film “Kara Kızıl Sarı,” said he is curious about how Turkish audiences will respond to the film.

“The film tells the story of a bride. That culture also exists in Türkiye. We are all Turks, and we share the same roots. Therefore, Turkish audiences will understand and feel this film, seeing it not as a foreign culture but as their own. These films will further strengthen the bond between our peoples,” he said.

Chyngyz Toktobekov, Consul General of the Kyrgyz Republic in Istanbul, thanked the institutions and individuals supporting the event and said the consulate will continue its efforts to promote Kyrgyz culture, art, and national values in Türkiye.

Following the opening speeches, the program continued with a musical performance by a Kyrgyz artist and the screening of the award-winning film “Kara Kızıl Sarı.”

The film days, which aim to introduce notable works of Kyrgyz cinema to Turkish audiences, will continue until March 26.

As part of the program at Atlas Cinema, Dastan Japar’s “The Fugitive” will be screened on March 25, and Ruslan Akun’s “Heaven 2” on March 26, both at 7:30 p.m.

Anadolu Agency