OTFF

Who we are & What we do

Ontario Turkish Film Festival (OTFF)

A cultural film festival celebrating Turkish cinema in Canada

The Ontario Turkish Film Festival (OTFF) is a non-profit cultural initiative dedicated to showcasing the richness, diversity, and artistic depth of Turkish cinema. Based in Ontario, OTFF creates a platform where filmmakers, artists, and audiences come together to experience powerful stories that bridge cultures and spark meaningful dialogue.

Through carefully curated screenings, panels, and special events, OTFF highlights both emerging and established voices from Turkiye and the Turkish diaspora. Our mission is to foster cultural exchange, support independent filmmaking, and connect communities through the universal language of film.

Since its founding, OTFF has grown into a vibrant meeting point for cinema lovers, creatives, and industry professionals who believe in storytelling as a force for understanding and connection.

Celebrating cinema, culture, and community on and off the screen.

What We Stand For

01.

Artistic Excellence

We curate high-quality films that reflect strong storytelling, creative vision, and cinematic craft, celebrating the best of Turkish and cross-cultural filmmaking.

02.

Cultural Exchange

OTFF builds bridges between cultures by creating spaces for dialogue, collaboration, and shared experiences between Turkish cinema and global audiences.

03.

Community & Inclusion

We are committed to inclusivity, supporting diverse voices, emerging filmmakers, and underrepresented stories within the film industry.

04.

Education & Inspiration

Through talks, panels, and filmmaker Q&As, we aim to educate, inspire, and encourage the next generation of storytellers and film enthusiasts.

Among Our Community

2026 FILM SELECTIONS

Adile Naşit

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Bulutlardan Asagi (Down From The Clouds)

Su is waiting for her dad to come home with her favourite ice-cream. He arrives home visibly drunk and he still wants to keep his promise to his daugther. The two head our for a night drive in the magical land of Cappadocia. Director: Cansu Boguslu Writer: Ali Mahir Aksu – Cansu Boguslu – Irem…

Kurmajcan Datka

The relevant epic story of the strong-willed, courageous and independent woman before her time, Kurmanjan, who is revered to this day for her diplomacy for saving her nation from complete destruction when the Russians invaded. The historical, epic drama, set in 19th century Central Asia, tells the true story of Kurmanjan Datka, a strong willed…

Tarlan

Little Zakir is given custody of a foal. The boy likes to argue, so he makes a bet with one of the village guys that he will win at the races. Safa’s grandfather shares wisdom with him and helps train the horse. And the city girl Aigul helps them with cleaning and feeding. But pride…

Qala (The Fortress)

The film focuses on a crew filming a war movie who gradually become engulfed in a real, unfolding war, blending the lines between fiction and reality. The film “Gala” is considered a significant work of the early 21st-century Azerbaijani cinema, often showcased in international festivals to highlight the country’s cinematic growth.  Director: Shamil Najafzade Writer:…

Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu: Toprağın Sırrına Erenler

The film is uniquely constructed from 8.5 hours of never-before-seen 8mm footage filmed by Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu himself, documenting his own life and artistic process. The documentary offers an intimate look at the life and legacy of Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, one of Turkey’s most influential painters and poets. Rather than a standard biographical overview, the…

NOIR

A mysterious stranger creates a scandal after crying at a funeral. Rumors are quick to spread across the island, pitting neighbor against neighbor and bringing light to the mysterious circumstances of a young woman’s death. Director: Ragıp Ergun Writer: Ragıp Ergun – Samet Dogan Genre: Drama Cast Cansel Elcin Show Time & Location SATURDAY –…

Çilingir Sofrası (Night in Four Parts)

Two former high school buddies meet on a raki night in Beyoglu after 17 years. As they drink and talk they realize another life is possible on a land where toxic masculinity does not exist. As they drink and talk they realize another life is possible on a land where toxic masculinity does not exist.…

Sen Şimdi Su Oldun

Sen Şimdi Su Oldun (Now You Are Just Water) is a short documentary directed by Cansu Boğuşlu that functions as a highly personal and experimental visual essay. The film is characterized by its dream-like cinematography and a non-linear narrative. It relies heavily on visual metaphors and sensory details rather than a traditional plot or interview-based…

Ağır Kanatlar

Ağır Kanatlar (Heavy Wings) is an early short film by Cansu Boğuşlu, created during her time at the prestigious Łódź Film School in Poland (PWSFTviT). The film is a scripted drama, marking a shift from the documentary style of her more recent works like The Bridge or Unbroken. While specific plot synopses are rare in…

Kırılmayan (Unbroken)

Kırılmayan (Unbroken) is a compelling documentary short directed by Cansu Boğuşlu. It is closely linked to her work with the Spark Film Collective and continues her exploration of human resilience and personal stories. The film focuses on the life and resilience of Mustafa, a man who has faced significant physical and life challenges. The title…

Köprü (The Bridge)

The film takes place entirely within the confines of Istanbul’s iconic traffic. It follows Turkish taxi drivers as they navigate the city, specifically focusing on the transit over the bridges that connect Europe and Asia. Rather than a broad history of the city, the “story” is told through the eyes of these drivers. It captures…

Yabani Ot (Wild Flower)

On a midsummer night, weather starts to change as Aga and Tomek are at a bohemian art gathering. Aga is at the peak of her hidden troubles. She doesn’t say what she wants and Tomek has hard time understanding her need. Director: Cansu Boguslu Producer: Cansu Boguslu Genre: Drama-Fantasy-Romance-Short Cast Robert Buczynski – Agnieszka Findys…

Toprağa Dönüş (Back to the Land)

The documentary tells the true story of Tevfik Kurtuluş. After moving to New York at the age of two and spending much of his life there as a business owner, actor, and DJ, Tevfik decides to leave his adventurous life in America behind. At the age of 35, he returns to his ancestral home in…

The Sultan’s Stone (AI-Generated Short Movie)

Berkay Ellek is a prominent Turkish filmmaker and digital artist specializing in artificial intelligence-generated cinema. While Berkay Ellek’s most widely recognized award-winning work is the AI short film Beyaz Güvercin (White Pigeon), his broader portfolio focuses on leveraging generative AI tools to create cinematic narratives. Director: Berkay Ellek Procuder: Kerem Kurtuluş Genre: AI  Cast Show…

Festina Lente

The film Festina Lente – “Make haste slowly” – takes its inspiration from the very Latin adage and uses contemporary visual language to reinterpret the enduring spirit of the Renaissance. Filmed across Florence, Naples, Palermo, Istanbul, and London, the film blends documentary realism with artistic narration to tell the personal journey of executive producer, writer,…

Mukadderat

After the loss of her husband Sultan wants to remarry. Thus she finds herself in a new way. Sultan (65) who his mourning over the loss of her husband, asks her children to come. Instead of mourning Sultan deals with her husband’s daily tasks and tries to fill his absence. During this, Sultan unexpectedly makes…

Hemmenin Öldüğü Günlerden Biri (One of Those Days When Hemme Dies)

After going bankrupt, Eyüp leaves Izmir to work at a tomato field. Unpaid wages frustrate Eyüp, leading to a confrontation with his foreman Hemme. He decides to kill him but is unwittingly diverted in town, cooling his anger. Director: Murat Firatoglu Writer: Murat Firatoglu Genre: Crime – Drama – Thriller Cast Sefer Firatoglu – Murat…

Hayat (Life)

A fiancée lost on the streets of Istanbul, a man who sets out to find the truth. Escape or love? The fate of the duo is written in Istanbul. Hicran, who was forced to get engaged by her father, runs away from home. Riza, who thinks that Hicran does not want him, does not care…

WHAT WE OFFER

Curated Film Showcases

OTFF is more than just screenings

We present a diverse selection of feature films, documentaries, and short films that reflect a wide range of voices and creative visions. Each film is carefully selected to explore the depths of Turkish culture, societal issues, and universal human stories.

We offer tailored partnership packages that provide high-impact brand visibility through our gala screenings, digital platforms, and exclusive networking events. Join us in bridging cultures and supporting the next generation of filmmakers while positioning your business at the heart of our vibrant community.

Explore Our Program:

Discover award-winning films and bold new voices. Check out the program!

Support the Arts:

Help us bring the best of Turkish storytelling to the global stage by becoming a sponsor or volunteer.

Secure Your Tickets:

Join us for individual screenings or experience the full festival with our Day Pass options.
FULL PROGRAM

PARTNER WITH US

Become a vital part of Ontario's premier celebration of Turkish storytelling. By sponsoring the Ontario Turkish Film Festival, your brand gains direct exposure to a diverse, affluent, and culturally engaged audience across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond.

OUR TEAM

Festival Committee

Logistic, Strategy and Operations

CONTACT US

DROP US A LINE

info@ontarioturkishfilmfestival.com

info@tkfd.ca

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