This year’s program continues the tradition of highlighting emerging and established Turkish filmmakers with several appearances by guest directors. The festival opens on March 22 with the stormy psychological drama Sideway (Yol Kenarı), followed by a discussion with director Tayfun Pirselimoğlu and a ceremony honoring actor, author, and director Ercan Kesal with this year’s Boston Turkish Film Festival Excellence in Turkish Cinema Award. Many films in the program will make their US premiers, including the latest works by acclaimed directors Reha Erdem and Derviş Zaim, Big Big World and Dream. Fatih Akin’s In the Fade is winner of the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film and the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival. The festivities will conclude with Ayla: The Daughter of War, a heartwarming film that is Turkey’s official entry for the 90th Academy Awards.

All films are in Turkish with English subtitles, unless otherwise noted. Programmed by Erkut Gömülü, founder and director of the Boston Turkish Film Festival. Co-presented by the Turkish American Cultural Society of New England.

For more information on the Boston Turkish Film Festival, visit their official website.