Istanbul Film Festival and Başka Sinema join forces to showcase works-in-progress at Marché du Film. Meetings on the Bridge, 20-year-old industry platform of Istanbul Film Festival has played a key role in fostering co-productions and industry connections, while Başka Sinema has championed independent film distribution and audience engagement. This initiative provides emerging and established Turkish filmmakers with international exposure and networking opportunities.
Goes to Cannes
Istanbul FF & Baska Sinema
Showcase details
Key Dates: 19 May 2025 (10:00-11:50)
Access: Marché du Film badge holders
Main Venue: Palais K (Palais des Festivals)
Projects
Goes to Cannes
Lo-Fi
Category: Istanbul FF X Baska Sinema Goes to Cannes
Directed by: Alican Durbaş
Produced by: İpek Erden | Vayka Film
Country of production: Turkey
Genre: Drama, Romance
Language: Turkish
Completed in: 2025
On a moving day, Emre, in his early thirties, spends the day with the memory of his ex-girlfriend Defne. Discovering the traces of bittersweet memories of their relationship, he says goodbye to his home, finally facing himself and the actual Defne whom he hadn’t dared to face since their breakup.
Goes to Cannes
The Greatest Funeral Hits
Category: Istanbul FF X Baska Sinema Goes to Cannes
Directed by: Ziya Demirel
Produced by: Anna Maria Aslanoğlu | istos film, Emre Oskay (Co-Producer) | Sky Films
Country of production: Turkey
Original title: En Güzel Cenaze Şarkıları
Genre: Comedy
Language: Turkish
Completed in: May 2025
The unfolding of Saadet’s internet affair with a doctor with many degrees, that ends with the loss of 20K Euros wrapped around a non-polyester shirt, reveals the mosaic of interrelated characters and affects those around her more than herself.
Goes to Cannes
Dead Dogs Don’t Bite
Category: Istanbul FF X Baska Sinema Goes to Cannes
Directed by: Nuri̇ Ci̇Han ÖZdoğan
Produced by: Nuri̇ Ci̇Han öZdoğAn, Kaan öZdoğan | Remz Film, Hasan DoğAnay, Oben Yilmaz | Hok Films, Tunahan Kurt (Line Producer)
Country of production: Turkey
Original title: ÖLü Köpekler Isirmaz
Genre: Crime, Drama
Language: Turkish
Completed in: 2025
A skinny young boy, İsmet, and his childhood friend Dogo dream of building a garbage empire through the illegal waste trade. As they dig deeper into the earth to bury the trash, they witness the decay not only of the waste but also of their souls and their friendship.
Goes to Cannes
Expectation
Category: Istanbul FF X Baska Sinema Goes to Cannes
Directed by: Ali Özel
Produced by: Ali Özel | ReCinema
Country of production: Turkey
Original title: Beklenti
Genre: Drama, Introspective Thriller
Language: Turkish
Completed in: 2025
The rumors and prejudices spreading around a single incident turn into a veil that hides the realities. Expectations are really the veils that manipulate the truth, or is the truth somewhere closer, hiding in a place no one dares to look?
Goes to Cannes
Sevda
Category: Istanbul FF X Baska Sinema Goes to Cannes
Directed by: Ufuk Emiroglu
Produced by: Nicolas Wadimoff, Nadia Turincev, Omar El Kadi | Akka Films, Eva Kuperman | Stenola Productions, Ersan Çongar, Asli Filiz | Bir Films
Country of production: Switzerland, Belgium, Turkey
Genre: Drama
Language: Turkish
Completed in: 2025
Sevda is a real estate developer driving Istanbul’s rapid gentrification. As she prepares to evict the keeper of an old Ottoman cemetery, her past resurfaces, forcing her to confront her story—and her city— from a new perspective.