The 17th annual London Turkish Film Festival kicks off tonight with a UK premiere gala screening of Being Italian with Signora Enrica - heart warming comedy-drama about an elderly Italian woman who takes in a young Turkish exchange student - attended by star Claudia Cardinale.
Running until December 8, the line-up includes the latest films from established directors such as Nuri Bilge Ceylan's Once Upon A Time In Anatolia, Dervis Zaim's Shadows And Faces and Sedat Yilmaz's Press.
The emphasis this year, however, will be on emerging talent, providing an important platform for a new generation of Turkish film-makers working both at home and abroad.
Eight films will for the Golden Wings Digiturk Digital Distribution Award, a £30,000 prize judged by an international panel, which enables the winning film to be released in cinemas throughout the UK and Ireland.
Festival director Vedide Kaymak said: "Over the last decade, Turkish filmmakers, not only in Turkey, but also those living in the rest of the world, have found new creative directions, making critically acclaimed films, and winning awards all over the world.
"The LTFF has always had an inclusive approach towards programming, and I am especially excited by our programme this year. Now in its 17th year, our festival has grown from a small three-day event to a full-scale two-week festival and this year we have been able to push the boundaries further than ever. We are privileged to be able to open up the new trans-cultural Turkish cinema to new audiences in venues across London."
Additional highlights include actor Muzatffer Ozdemir's directorial debut Home and Istanbul Film Festival winner September.
This year, the 2011 Golden Wings Lifetime Achievement Award will go to "angel of Turkish Cinema" Hulya Kocyigit and a Golden Wings People's Choice Award will go to the film receiving most votes from the audience throughout the festival.
The festival will run at Odeon West End, Rio Dalston, Apollo Piccadilly and Cine Lumiere, for further details, visit the official site.
