ISTANBUL
 INTERNATIONAL
ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN FILMS FESTIVAL
06-12 October, 2008 

"Chamber of Architects of Turkey" has been conducting a highly involved struggle aimed at developing the architectural culture, protecting the historic heritage and improving the quality of life since its inception in 1954 till our present day.  In order to add a new dimension to these efforts, it has been decided to initiate a new organization from 2007 onwards under the title of "Istanbul International Architecture and Urban Films Festival".  It is the objective to ensure an active participation of everyone who is interested in the sphere of films, most of all the architects.
This festival is being planned within the context of "Celebration of Architecture and City" realized by the Chamber of Architects İstanbul Metropolitan Branch for the "World Architecture Day", which is celebrated jointly by 1,200,000 global members of the Union of International Architects annually on each first Monday of the Month of October.
As is well known, the Chamber of Architects of Turkey had successfully hosted the "XXIIth World Congress of Architecture" of the Union of International Architects in İstanbul in July 2005.  This highly successful organization had been much appreciated in the world and had received very favorable press coverage.
This festival aims at sponsoring films produced on the subject of architecture and city, encouraging new productions, and exposing admirable examples of films to the audiences.  Additionally it foresees to prepare the environment for the meeting together of the architects, the film directors and other experts in İstanbul within the context of this activity, consequently to introduced the concept of architectural culture to wide sections of the public.
Documentary and animation films will be allowed to compete within the scope of the festival.  The submitted films shall be eliminated through a preliminary screening and those that are selected shall enter into a competition.  At the same time numerous discussion sessions and other activities shall be programmed in order to provide an interchange of ideas among the participants.