Report from the 18th 1001 Documentary Film Festival Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey, 30 March – 5 April 2026

I am attending the Istanbul International 1001 Documentary Film Festival as a reporter, following its return after several years.

The festival was founded in 1997 by the Belgesel Sinemacılar Birliği (BSB) and is known as Turkey’s first documentary film festival. From the beginning, it created a meeting point for filmmakers, students, and audiences through screenings, talks, and shared moments around documentary cinema.

Opening of Istanbul International 1001 Documentary Film Festival

According to its official history, the festival held 17 editions between 1997 and 2015, presenting 1,238 films from 60 countries to nearly 160,000 viewers. Now, in 2026, it returns with a clear intention to reconnect the documentary community and bring that atmosphere back to Istanbul.

On the first day, I spoke with my dear friend, Esin Özalp Öztürk, who serves as International Program Coordinator. She pointed to the diversity of the selection and the long effort behind rebuilding the festival. After years of pause, the event has come back through the dedication of the team, led by Bahriye Kabadayı Dal and Nilgün Yanık Emiroğlu.

I will continue sharing reports and conversations with filmmakers in the coming days.

If you are in Istanbul, this is a rare chance to experience it. I would also be glad to meet.

• Festival programme and catalogue: https://1001belgesel.com/festival-katalog