Dallas Welcomes First-Ever Turkish Film Festival
Sep 27 – Sep 28, 2025
The Turkish American Visual and Performing Arts (TAVPA) proudly presents the inaugural Dallas Turkish Film Festival (DTFF), introducing Dallas audiences to the vibrancy of Turkish culture.
This year’s program features two outstanding films: one from Turkey’s acclaimed filmmakers and a documentary that explores themes closely connected to Turkey. Together, they offer a unique window into the cultural richness and diverse stories shaping the Turkish experience. DTFF seeks to build cultural bridges, foster dialogue, and celebrate the power of film as a universal language.
DTFF Mission
The mission of the Dallas Turkish Film Festival is to celebrate the transformative power of storytelling by showcasing internationally acclaimed films from renowned Turkish directors, creating bridges between diverse communities, and fostering cross-cultural understanding. The festival also serves as a platform for emerging filmmakers and documentarians, providing opportunities to share their original work with broader audiences. Through this dynamic mix of established and rising voices, the festival highlights the richness of Turkish culture while nurturing the next generation of storytellers.
Red Carpet Reception – Saturday Sep 27th, 4:30pm | Angelika, Dallas
Join us for a glamorous Red Carpet Reception at 4:30 PM, before the screening of Istanbul Trilogy at Angelika Dallas. Immerse yourself in the classic film festival atmosphere as you walk the red carpet and pose against a movie-premiere-style backdrop, with a professional photographer capturing your star moment. Guests will also be able to browse festival-exclusive merchandise, available only at this special event.
Don’t miss our Turkish Coffee Stand — “For a Cause”, where every cup supports education initiatives for children from Hatay affected by the earthquake. Sip, savor, shop, and give back while being part of a meaningful tradition.
Istanbul Trilogy – Saturday Sep 27th, 5:30pm | Angelika, Dallas
Multi-award winning Turkish-Italian filmmaker Ferzan Özpetek is back with a trilogy of short films showcasing his love of Istanbul, music and gastronomy. Originally made for Netflix Italy, Istanbul Trilogy consists of three short films titled Meze, Music, Muhabbet, 65 minutes in total..
Meze: A woman gathers with her loved ones to share delicious mezes following a disappointing wedding day. Life is disappointing sometimes. You might think you’re having your worst day. But if you have close friends with whom you share your life, maybe that day is not as bad as you think… and maybe it is a day worth celebrating.
Music: A childhood memory that you didn’t care about at first can affect your destiny and your future. It can shape how you grow up, what you do, what kind of life you live. Sometimes life gets better with coincidences.
Muhabbet: A man away from his hometown engages in a conversation with his friends over a toast celebrating life. Missing a person, a city, a friend, a lover is a heavy burden you always carry on your back. You try everything to satisfy the longing inside you. The longing never ends, but you learn to live with it.
Golden Opulence – Sunday Sep 28th, 2:30pm | Angelika, Dallas
“Golden Opulence” traces the 500-year journey of luxury in these lands, marking Beymen’s 50th anniversary. The story continues with an exhibition that welcomed more than 50,000 visitors, and a documentary inspired by the book published worldwide by Assouline.
This documentary sheds light on the cultural heritage of Anatolia—the cradle of civilizations—and the magical interaction between East and West. It reveals the depth of Turkey’s luxury heritage, whose influence stretches from Anatolia to Europe. The film brings together perspectives from fashion, culture, art, architecture, and gastronomy.
Shot across 4 countries, 12 cities, and 36 locations, Golden Opulence offers a breathtaking visual journey.
Within its scope, the film features world-renowned names in fashion such as Victoria Beckham, Olivier Rousteing, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Erdem Moralıoğlu, Alfonso Dolce, Marco De Vincenzo, Edgardo Osorio, Antonio de Matteis, Brunello Cucinelli, Barnaba Fornasetti, Sevan Bıçakçı, Özgür Masur, Ayşe & Ece Ege, Ece Şirin, and Bünyamin Aydın.
It also includes interviews with Caroline Koç, Karsu, Prof. Tuba Büyüküstün, Hülya Tezcan, Erol Sağmanlı, Levon Bağış, Maksut Aşkar, Murat Palta, Ahmet Şan, Derya Bengi, Nilay Örnek, Özge Samancı, and Oya Başkaya, among a total of 45 influential voices.
Saturday, September 27 at 7:30 PM | Lorenzo Hotel, Dallas
Festival Cocktail: Golden Istanbul Nights
Join us for the Festival Cocktail on Saturday, September 27 at 7:30 PM at the rooftop of the Lorenzo Hotel in Downtown Dallas.
Under the theme Golden Istanbul Nights — Where Stories Shine Beyond Borders, this unforgettable evening bridges the magic of Istanbul Trilogy and the beauty of Golden Opulence, celebrating Turkish cinema in style.
Enjoy captivating dance performances, live music, and a specially curated menu by Chef Kubilay, winner of America’s Best Chef — all set against the sparkling Dallas skyline. Semi-formal attire with a touch of gold is encouraged.
Support
DTFF is organized by a dedicated group of community volunteers. Your support enables us to continue bringing the very best of Turkish Cinema to Dallas, Texas.
Exclusive DTFF Festival Collection
Official Festival T-Shirt
Celebrate cinema in style with the Official Dallas Turkish Film Festival T-Shirt. A comfortable, unisex tee designed for culture lovers and festival supporters. %100 cotton.
Festival Canvas Tote Bag
Made from durable cotton canvas. Carry culture everywhere with the DTFF Eco Tote Bag — durable, reusable, and designed to showcase your love for film and community. It’s ideal for books, groceries, or your everyday essentials. The bold DTFF design makes it both practical and stylish
Official Festival Mug
Start your mornings with a sip of culture! The Dallas Turkish Film Festival Ceramic Mug pairs style with function. With a glossy finish and the DTFF emblem proudly displayed, it’s perfect for coffee, tea, or even Turkish çay. Microwave and dishwasher-safe, this mug is a daily reminder of your support for arts and cinema in Dallas.
Support
Your support keeps Turkish cinema alive in Dallas. By becoming a supporter, you help us showcase world-class films, guest directors, and cultural events that connect our community through art.
Volunteer
DTFF is powered by passionate community members who believe in the magic of cinema. Join our volunteer team and help us welcome guests, support screenings, and create unforgettable experiences.
Donate
Be part of the story. Every donation directly funds programming, filmmaker participation, and community engagement — helping DTFF grow into a Dallas tradition for years to come.
Subscribe
Become a member! Stay in touch and sign up for updates on films, events, and special announcements. Be the first to know about screenings, guest appearances, and opportunities to get involved.
Film Festival Sponsors
Silver Screen Sponsors
Thank you to
Dr. Ali Beşkök
Friend Of Festival Sponsors
Coffee For A Cause
During our Red Carpet Receptions and Cocktail, we’ll be serving Turkish coffee with love. A minimum $10 donation per cup will help provide education for children in Hatay
