WELCOME TO THE 19th BOSTON TURKISH FILM & MUSIC FESTIVAL!

We are delighted to continue the tradition of presenting high caliber films and concerts to you as we celebrate 19th anniversary of the festival. This year’s film program continues the tradition of highlighting emerging and established filmmakers of the Turkish cinema. Most of the films in the program are award-winners in international film festivals, and will have their North America or U.S.  premieres at the Boston Turkish Film Festival.

In 2019 Boston Turkish Film Festival was awarded with a special commendation by the prestigious Boston Society of Film Critics for "bringing work by emerging and established filmmakers of the Turkish cinema to Boston audiences".

The festival opens with A Tale of Three Sisters by acclaimed director Emin Alper, which made its world premiere and competed for best film in Berlinale and is the winner of C.I.C.A.E. The Art Cinema Award and Best Director Award at the Sarajevo Film Festival. Film screening will be followed by a Q&A with the director and a reception with live music by Emel Altınkaya Ergül, cello; Cem Tecimer, kanun; and Cengiz Pehlevan, ud.

Join us on April 4th at 12 pm and 2:30 pm for special screenings of award-winning films from the Boston Turkish Festival's Documentary and Short Film Competition, which celebrated its 14th year in 2019, followed by award ceremony and a panel discussion moderated by film critic Peter Keough.
After the film screenings, we are partnering once again with the Goethe-Institut Boston to present a special music program.

On April 11th Bengisu Gökçe, violinist and singer, will give a concert, “Inspiration: Sounds of Anatolia”, joined by  distinguished musicians from various countries; Alp Akmaz, balaban and clarinet; Panos Aivazidis, kanun; Manos Stratis, bass; and Alber Baseel, percussion.
Globetrotting musician Alper Tuzcu and his ensemble will join the festival on April 17th for the concert, “Alper Tuzcu: From Neruda to Fado”. Helena Beltrão, vocal; Micaella Cattani, singer and songwriter; Bengisu Gökçe, violinist and singer; and Juan Pablo Tello, percussionist, will perform with Alper Tuzcu in this international music project.

The festival will close on April 25th with a concert by Ajda The Turkish Queen, who is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and voice teacher living and making music in the Boston area since 1996. Bassist Eric Donohue joins Ajda for this concert.  

Organizing a festival undoubtedly is a collaborative effort of many individuals and organizations. With this opportunity, we would like to thank our supporters, board members and co-presenters as well as individual, corporate and organizational sponsors whose commitment and collaboration made this festival possible. Hope to see you in our festival in many decades to come.

Enjoy the Festival!

Erkut Gömülü
Director and Founder
Boston Turkish Film and Music Festival