AFM International Independent Film Festival, more commonly known as !f Istanbul is an annual, international film festival dedicated to independent films from all around the world.[1] The festival is held each year in mid-February at AFM Theaters, hence its name, in Istanbul, Turkey, with a partial showcase in Ankara.
It is the only film festival in Turkey with an LGBT section[1].
Each year, the films are presented in several thematic sections.
A competitive section called "Keş!f" in Turkish and "!f Inspired" in English is included for the first time in 2008. Ten international films will be competing in the section, and the international jury will be consisting of Reha Erdem, Christophe Leparc, John Cameron Mitchell, Wendy Mitchell, and Perry Ogden.
In 2008, around 70 films will be shown in the festival under following sections:
Several festival-related activities such as workshops, interviews, symposiums, exhibitions, etc. with directors, NGOs, and scholars are held during the festival.
!f Istanbul also organizes several parties during the festival including the opening and closing parties. In 2008, the opening party will feature Joy Division ex-bassist and co-founder Peter Hook, and the closing party will feature the Icelandic band múm.