Türkiye rolls out red carpet for filmmakers at Cannes

Türkiye is making a major push to attract global filmmakers at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The General Directorate of Cinema and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) will jointly host the “Türkiye Invites You” reception from May 15 to 17 during the 79th Cannes Film Festival in France, inviting leading industry figures to “Come shoot your films in Türkiye.”

Showcasing locations and talent

General Director of Cinema Birol Güven stated that the primary goal is to encourage international producers and directors to choose Türkiye for their productions. The events will highlight Türkiye’s technical capabilities, international co-production potential, and diverse filming locations — from Istanbul and Cappadocia to the Aegean coast and ancient historic cities. Turkish actors including Caner Cindoruk, Engin Akyürek, Engin Altan Düzyatan, and Özge Gürel will meet international guests during the reception.

Cannes Film Market presence

A dedicated Türkiye stand will also be set up at the Cannes Film Market, where industry professionals can learn about Turkish cinema’s production strength, incentive systems, and co-production opportunities. The initiative reflects Ankara’s broader strategy to promote Türkiye as a premier filming destination, leveraging its natural landscapes, historical sites, and competitive tax rebates to attract international investment in the audiovisual sector.