Toronto Turkish Film Festival 2026
July 1–5, 2026 · Toronto
The first edition of the Toronto Turkish Film Festival presents a program dedicated to contemporary Turkish cinema, bringing together film screenings, conversations, and special events in Toronto. As an independent, not-for-profit cultural initiative, the festival aims to create a space for critical engagement, artistic exchange, and cross-cultural dialogue through film.
Toronto Turkish Film Festival 2026
July 1–5, 2026 · Toronto
The first edition of the Toronto Turkish Film Festival presents a program dedicated to contemporary Turkish cinema, bringing together film screenings, conversations, and special events in Toronto. As an independent, not-for-profit cultural initiative, the festival aims to create a space for critical engagement, artistic exchange, and cross-cultural dialogue through film.
Canada Day Showcase: Out of Comfort Zone
This screening brings together 7 short films: Baba, Healer, Fish Skin, Breath, 650 Lawrence Ave, The Imbalance Of Probabilities, Karupy. Join the Toronto Turkish Film Festival at the iconic CineCycle for a special screening highlighting the talent of Canadian and Turkish filmmakers living and creating right here in Canada.
Festival Program
Reception Night
This evening brings together an influential room of international filmmakers, cultural tastemakers, and distinguished leaders to celebrate the power of independent Turkish cinema. Join this exclusive evening of community, connection, and philanthropic support to launch this year's festival journey.
Thu Jul 2, 2026 | 7:00 PM at Center for Social Innovation
Wed Jul 1, 2026 | 7:00 PM at CineCycle
Festival Gala: Vavien featuring Guest of Honour Binnur Kaya
Celal, trapped in a small Anatolian town, struggles with debt, a failing marriage, and growing frustration. Seeing his wife's hidden money as a way out, he sets a reckless plan into motion that spirals into darkly comic chaos. Blending tragedy with black humor, the film portrays the suffocating reality of provincial life.
Fri Jul 3, 2026 | 7:00 PM at HotDocs Ted Rogers Cinema
I am Here, I am Fine + Virtual Q&A with Dir. Emine Emel Balcı
Filiz, a working mother battling postpartum depression, finds her search for independence transformed by an unexpected connection with Sule. A poignant look at female solidarity and the resilience found in the most unlikely places.
Sat Jul 4, 2026 | 2:00 PM at The Spadina Theatre at Alliance Française de Toronto
Empire of the Rabbits + Live Q&A with Dir. Seyfettin Tokmak
Twelve-year-old Musa lives under the pressure of poverty and his father's authority in a remote village. His fragile inner world, shaped by injured rabbits and childhood dreams, begins to collapse when his father forces him to pretend to be disabled for financial aid. The film offers a poetic coming-of-age story about dignity, freedom, and silent resistance.
Sat Jul 4, 2026 | 5:00 PM at The Spadina Theatre at Alliance Française de Toronto
Apollon By Day Athena By Night + Live Q&A with Dir. Emine Yıldırım
Defne’s search for her abandoned mother leads her to the ancient city of Side, where she encounters a series of mysterious figures who transform her journey into a mystical exploration of identity. A hauntingly beautiful narrative set against the timeless backdrop of the Mediterranean.
Sat Jul 4, 2026 | 8:00 PM at The Spadina Theatre at Alliance Française de Toronto
Short Film Selection + Virtual Q&A with the Directors
This screening brings together 6 films: Procedure, Good Morning Mom, The Raffle, All That Belongs To Us, Happy Feet, and Almost Certainly False. The films offer a profound exploration of the human condition, moving from the bureaucratic absurdities of modern life to the intimate echoes of memory and grief.
Sun Jul 5, 2026 | 10:30 AM at CineCycle
Behind the Lens: Filmmaker Panel & Masterclass
This session brings directors Emine Yıldırım and Seyfettin Tokmak together for a dynamic industry panel and an exclusive masterclass to explore the art and grit of independent filmmaking, from international co-productions to the evolution of storytelling.
Sun Jul 5, 2026 | 2:00 PM at CineCycle
Documentary Showcase: Harvest of Light & Whispering Walls
Close your festival journey with two powerful films that explore the intersection of light, heritage, and the persistence of memory. This curated documentary selection takes us on a visual and emotional exploration of Turkish identity and the spaces we inhabit.
Sun Jul 5, 2026 | 5:30 PM at CineCycle
Binnur Kaya is one of Türkiye’s most respected and versatile performers, celebrated for her seamless transitions between profound drama and sharp comedy. A graduate of Bilkent University’s Theater Department, she is widely recognized for her award-winning performance in Vavien (2009), earning Best Actress honors at the SİYAD and Yeşilçam Awards. Her recent work in the series The Red Room (Kırmızı Oda) solidified her status as a powerhouse in contemporary Turkish storytelling.
Binnur Kaya
Emine Yıldırım
Emine Yıldırım is a key figure in independent Turkish cinema and co-founder of Giyotin Film. She produced the acclaimed The Impeccables (2013), which won Best Film at the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival. Her directorial debut, Apollon by Day Athena by Night (2024), recently won the Asian Future Best Film Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Seyfettin Tokmak is an award-winning director known for visually striking and socially conscious storytelling. His debut, Broken Mussels (2011), premiered at the Sarajevo Film Festival to international acclaim. His latest film, Empire of the Rabbits (2024), has garnered awards for Best Cinematography and Best Script at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
Seyfettin Tokmak
2026 Films
Building on its founding principles, the program foregrounds arthouse and independent cinema from Türkiye and its diasporas, with an emphasis on works that invite reflection, discussion, and multiple perspectives.
Tickets & Registration
Ticket information for the 2026 edition will be announced closer to the festival dates. Visitors are encouraged to join the early registration list to receive priority access to ticket sales, program announcements, and special events.
For updates on the 2026 festival program, announcements, and year-round initiatives, follow the Toronto Turkish Film Festival on social media and join our mailing list.
Plan Your Festival Journey
Map out your immersive cinematic experience with our interactive event calendar. From July 1st to July 5th, the Toronto Turkish Film Festival takes over premier cultural hubs across the city, including the historic Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, Alliance Française, and CineCycle.
Whether you are aiming to secure an invitation to our exclusive fundraising reception, witness award-winning independent features with their directors live on stage, or expand your craft at an industry masterclass, this calendar provides a complete, real-time snapshot of times, locations, and sessions.
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Toronto Turkish Film Festival acknowledges the land it operates on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit. We encourage you to learn about the lands you are on today by visiting native-land.ca
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