A film about one of Central Asia's most celebrated writers will get top billing in Istanbul this autumn. "Aitmatov", a Kyrgyz feature directed by Kanybek Kalmatov, has been chosen as the opening film of the 6th Korkut Ata Film Festival of the Turkic World, running November 3–7 in the Turkish city.
The movie charts the life and work of Chingiz Aitmatov, the Kyrgyz novelist whose books — from "Jamila" to "The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years" — made him one of the few Soviet-era authors read widely around the globe. Festival organisers have extended an official invitation, and the ceremonial screening is set for November 3 at the Atlas 1948 Cinema, a historic venue in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district. Expect a red carpet and an opening ceremony drawing filmmakers, cultural figures and media from across the region.
The festival itself is a relatively young but significant fixture. Launched in 2021 and backed by Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the General Directorate of Cinema, it exists to build cultural bridges between Turkic-speaking nations. This year's edition brings together representatives of the film industries of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan — a rare chance to see contemporary cinema from countries that rarely reach Western festival programmes.
For travellers, it's a neat excuse to be in Istanbul in early November. The city is past its high-season crowds by then, hotel rates soften, and the weather is still mild enough for long walks between screenings. Beyond the festival, film fans can pair a visit with Istanbul's own cinematic landmarks — the streets of Beyoğlu, the ferries of the Bosphorus and the old cinemas that have screened Turkish and international film for decades. And if "Aitmatov" sparks an interest in the writer himself, Kyrgyzstan has been leaning into its literary heritage, with sites tied to Aitmatov's life around the capital Bishkek and his home region near Lake Issyk-Kul.
Who's it for? Anyone planning an autumn city break with a cultural edge, cinephiles curious about cinema from Central Asia and the Caucasus, and travellers who like timing a trip around a festival rather than fighting summer queues. Entry details and the full programme typically appear on the festival's channels closer to the date, so keep an eye out if you want to catch the opening night at Atlas 1948.
Story via 24.kg.
