The International İstanbul Film Festival was first presented as a film week in the summer of 1982, within the framework of the International İstanbul Festival. Beginning in 1984, the event became a separate activity and was shifted to April.

In 1985, two competitive sections, one national and the other international, were included in the Festival program. Accredited by FIAPF since 1989, the Festival, features a thematically specialized international competition, provides a showcase for recent Turkish film productions, and thus represents a rewarding medium where Turkish and foreign filmmakers get together. The Festival draws a special interest to world classics, presenting retrospective sections within its programs particularly attended by young audiences.

The Festival, whose aim is "to encourage the development of cinema in Turkey, to help Turkish cinema attain international recognition and to promote films of quality in the Turkish market", has also introduced international institutions and organizations like EURIMAGES and EFDO to the Turkish market.
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