MFA Film and the Turkish American Cultural Society of New England proudly present the Boston Turkish Arts and Culture Festival’s 20th Annual Documentary and Short Film Competition opening weekend. This long-running event has become a North American tradition, showcasing emerging voices in Turkish cinema and earning international recognition.

The competition opens with One of Those Days When Hemme Dies by Murat Fıratoğlu, Türkiye’s official submission for the 98th Academy Awards Best International Feature Film. The film had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Special Jury Prize in the Orizzonti section. On Saturday, The Chords of Change by Yağız Alp Akaydın explores Türkiye’s 1930s cultural revolution through the remarkable creation of Özsoy, the first Turkish opera.

The competition starts with screenings at the MFA on  October 30 and November 1. The festival continues at the Goethe-Institut Boston through November 9. Learn more and see the full schedule.

In addition to jury awards for Best Documentary and Best Short Film, Audience Awards are announced. This year’s jury includes film and media scholar Dr. Kurt Fendt, film programmer and educator Katherine Irving, critic Peter Keough, and reporter and critic Erin Trahan.

All films are in English or with English subtitles.