As Turkey's largest film activity, the International Istanbul Film Festival drew an audience of 162,000 last year. This year the programme is, once again, packed to the brim. Time: from3 until 18 april 2010

The International Istanbul Film Festival sustains its leadership in Turkey with the quality and diversity of the films screened, and its wide coverage of the production of international film industry. This year, the Festival will host more than 200 films under 23 categories, screening new features from 2009 and 2010 along with unforgettable classics of film and selections from filmographies of master filmmakers. The festival will bring in a truly carnivalesque atmosphere to the city for two weeks with new categories, famous guests, workshops and panel discussions with masters of film, film seminars and parties.

At the press meeting of the 29th International Istanbul Film Festival that took place in Salon, the performance venue of the new IKSV building, Murat Göllü, Head of the Corporate Communications Department representing the Festival Sponsor Akbank stated: "Bringing together life with dreams for the last 29 years, İstanbul Film Festival is one of the most prestigious artistic events in Europe. We would like to congratulate İKSV for this success. We, as AKBANK, are glad to announce that we have decided to continue our support to this very important festival, for the following three years."

Can Fişek, from the Communications Directorate representing the Council of Europe for the FACE Council of Europe Film Award, which is given to a film in the Istanbul Film Festival section "Human Rights in Cinema" stated:

"The Council of Europe centres its efforts around the basic objective of improving human rights by sustaining the principles of democracy and rule of law. Moreover, the Council does not only regard film as an art from that disseminates ideas through narratives that engender laughter or tears, but also considers the art form as an important medium that contributes to raising individual awareness on certain issues, primarily on fundamental rights and freedoms. The Council of Europe Film Award FACE was founded with this principle in mind. The FACE Award will go to a work that examines successfully the theme of human rights and will be awarded for the fourth time at the International Istanbul Film Festival."

The 29th International Istanbul Film Festival will be inaugurated with an opening ceremony that will take place at the Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday evening April 2.

Tickets for the International Istanbul Film Festival will be on sale on Saturday March 20. Film buffs may purchase tickets at ticket boxes in the theatres Atlas and Yeni Rüya in Beyoğlu, the Kadıköy Theatre in Kadıköy, the İKSV Building (Sadi Konuralp Caddesi No: 5 Şişhane, every day 10:00-19:00) and Biletix.

Film lovers will once again have the privilege to watch the Festival films at convenient prices. As in the last two years, reduced admissions will continue this year as well. Regular tickets are 10 TL, reduced admission for students and senior citizens over the age of 65 are 7 TL. Tickets for all weekday daytime screenings are only 3.50 TL. Tickets for the Akbank Galas are 15 TL. Films from the Turkish Cinema category of the festival are 3.50 TL for every screening.

As always, Tulip cardholders have the opportunity to purchase tickets on pre-sale periods and with reductions... This year, university and high school students will obtain exclusive privileges through a special PasoFilm! card starting this year. Akbank's Axess card holders will benefit from a 20% reduction off all ticket prices of the Festival (except Turkish films and weekday daytime screenings).

Once again, the press and hospitality centre of the 29th International Istanbul Film Festival will be Akbank Sanat. As in previous years, Teknosa will continue to provide technological support to the Press Centre, which is open to all accredited members of the press and the Hospitality Centre, prepared for distinguished guests to the Festival.
Festival screenings will take place in 7 movie theatres including Atlas, Rüya, Beyoğlu, Sinepop, Pera Museum theatres in Beyoğlu, the Kadıköy theatre in Kadıköy and the Nişantaşı CityLife Cinema (City's) during weekdays at the 16:00-19:00-21:30 screenings and on weekends.
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