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.
Istanbul Trilogy
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 Originally made for Netflix Italy, Istanbul Trilogy consists of three short films titled Meze, Music, Muhabbet, 65 minutes in total..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: “Golden Opulence”, which traces the 500-year journey of luxury in these lands in Beymen’s 50th year, continues with an exhibition that hosted more than 50 thousand visitors and a documentary following the book, which was introduced to the world through the publishing house Assouline. Golden Opulence documentary, which sheds light on the cultural heritage of Anatolia, the cradle of civilizations, and the magical interaction between east and west, reveals the depth of luxury heritage in Turkey, its influence extending from Anatolia to Europe; It brings together audiences from different perspectives such as fashion, culture-art, architecture and gastronomy. The documentary was shot in 4 countries, 12 cities and 36 different locations.
Within the scope of the documentary; Fashion like Victoria Beckham, Olivier Rousteing, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Erdem Moralioglu, Alfonso Dolce, Marco De Vincenzo, Edgardo Osorio, Antonio de Matteis, Brunello Cucinelli, Barnaba Fornasetti, Sevan Bicakci, Ozgur Masur, Ayse ve Ece Ege, Ece Sirin, Bunyamin Aydin In addition to representatives of the world, Caroline Koc, Karsu, Prof. Interviews were held with 45 people, including Tuba Buyukustun, Hulya Tezcan, Erol Sagmanli, Levon Bagis, Maksut Askar, Murat Palta, Ahmet San, Derya Bengi, Nilay Ornek, Ozge Samanci and Oya Baskaya
Festival Cocktail: Golden Istanbul Nights
Join us for the Festival Cocktail on Saturday, September 27 at 7:30 PM at the stunning rooftop of the Lorenzo Hotel in Downtown Dallas. Under the theme “Golden 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.
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.
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Festival Sponsors
