13th Vancouver Turkish Film Festival –Gala

Night Reception

Friday, November 27, 2026 | SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts

Feed Your Cinefeline Curiosity!

Join us for an unforgettable evening of cinema, culture, and celebration at the 13th Vancouver Turkish Film Festival (VTFF) Opening Gala Night!

Experience the richness of Turkish cinema and gastronomy as we bring together film enthusiasts, artists, special guests, and the Vancouver community for an evening dedicated to storytelling and cultural connection.

Evening Program

6:00 PM – Opening Gala Cocktail Reception

Begin the evening with a delightful reception featuring a curated selection of dishes inspired by the richness and diversity of Turkish gastronomic culture with one drink on the house.

Enjoy a welcoming atmosphere where cinema, art, and community come together, offering the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow film lovers and celebrate the opening of this year's festival.

8:00 PM – Opening Remarks

Join festival organizers and special guests for the official welcome, introducing this year's festival, celebrating our community partners and supporters, and sharing the spirit behind our 2026 theme: Feed Your Cinefeline Curiosity!

8:30 PM – Gala Film Screening – "Salvation" (Kurtuluş)

🎥 "Salvation" by Emin Alper – 120 min.

Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize – 76th Berlin International Film Festival

Experience Salvation, a powerful and thought-provoking drama from internationally acclaimed Turkish filmmaker Emin Alper.

About "Salvation" (Kurtuluş)

When a rival tribe returns to reclaim its ancestral land, a sheikh finds himself at the centre of an escalating territorial dispute. Following a period of regional violence, tensions rise as he and his brother disagree over how to confront the growing conflict.

As loyalties are tested and divisions deepen, the struggle for land becomes a larger confrontation involving power, tradition, and the survival of a community.

Salvation is a gripping exploration of human nature, collective fear, and the fragile boundaries between justice, loyalty, and violence. Through its complex characters and powerful storytelling, the film examines how deeply rooted conflicts can shape individuals, families, and entire societies.

Cast

Erdal Açil, Selim Akgül

About Emin Alper

Emin Alper is one of contemporary Turkish cinema's most acclaimed writer-directors, internationally recognized for his politically charged narratives, psychological depth, and distinctive cinematic style.

His notable films include Beyond the Hill (2012), Frenzy (2015), A Tale of Three Sisters (2019), and Burning Days (2022), which have been featured at prestigious international film festivals.

Alper's work frequently explores themes of authority, social conflict, collective fear, and the complex relationships between individuals and their communities.

With Salvation, he continues his examination of power, identity, and the human consequences of deeply rooted social divisions.

Event Details

Date: Friday, November 27, 2026

Venue: SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts

Address: 149 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC

6:00 PM: Opening Gala Cocktail Reception

8:00 PM: Opening Remarks

8:30 PM: Gala Film Screening – Salvation (Kurtuluş)

Film Duration: 120 minutes

Organized by the Turkish Canadian Society (TCS), the Vancouver Turkish Film Festival celebrates the creativity and diversity of Turkish cinema while building cultural bridges between Türkiye, Canada, and audiences from all backgrounds.

Whether you're a lifelong admirer of Turkish cinema or discovering it for the first time, our Opening Gala promises an evening of compelling storytelling, cultural discovery, and meaningful connections.

Celebrate cinema. Connect cultures. Feed Your Cinefeline Curiosity!

We look forward to welcoming you to the 13th VTFF Opening Gala Night!