The goal was to facilitate distribution foreign distribution of the films and European distributors were invited to special industry screenings at Istanbul's spectacular new museum of modern art as well as meetings with local Turkish colleagues.
The event was meant to compliment the Meetings on the Bridge programme which ran simultaneously and which is now in its fifth year. Founded by Istanbul FF helmer Azize Tan the new project was supported by EU MEDIA International and is intended to be an annual event.
Speaking to FNE Tan said: "There has been a great increase in interest in Turkish film internationally in the last few years and because of this a lot of the young Turkish directors wanted to coproduce. But I could see that they needed help. This was the reason I established the Meetings on the Bridge."
Tan is now in her fourth year as festival director and one of the biggest changes at the festival has been to increase the number of Turkish productions on display. This year there are almost 50 Turkish films screening including more documentaries.
"The festival has become much more open to Turkish directors," said Tan.In 2011 Bridges Europe - Turkey and Meetings on the Bridge are planned to be folded into a single event according to Tan.
{mosimage}Renate Rose, Managing Director of EFP speaking exclusive to FNE said: "Our first year of partnership with the International Istanbul Film Festival was a good start to get to know each other. With our new initiative Bridges Europe - Turkey EFP was able to present - in cooperation with the festival - 10 European films and 12 Turkish films in a special programme to audience and industry during the festival.Full cinemas and vibrant Q&As following the screenings showed a huge interest by local audiences. The workshop on International Casting, organized in the frame work of Bridges Europe - Turkey were almost overcrowded and showed the enormous interest by young Turkish actors to work on an international European level. EFP is very much looking forward to improve and continue the successful start of this new partnership in the year 2011."
