28th Istanbul International Short Film Festival

The Istanbul International Short Film Festival returns for its 28th edition this year on December 14-21, with screenings at the Goethe Institut, Italian Cultural Center, and French Cultural Center. The shorts in this festival are truly international, coming to Istanbul from as far afield as Finland, Brazil, and Hong Kong. One to look out for is Turkish director Merve Gezen's Scrabble, which focuses on women's rights and violence against women in Turkish society. Gezen came home with awards from the Canada International Film Festival this year for her film Nerdesin Aşkım?, and Scrabble continues her masterful grasp of underdiscussed issues. For the full festival program see the timetable on the festival website. Please note that entrance to the French Cultural Center requires a membership card that can be picked up at 9.30am-1pm and 2pm-5.30pm Monday to Friday, or 9.30am to 6.30pm on Saturdays, from the information bureau at the center.