Turkey Lifts Feature Film Support 42% to 412.9 Million Lira
Minister Ersoy says 2026 support reached 412.9 million lira across 49 projects.
Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has raised its feature film production support for 2026 by 42%, bringing the total to 412.9 million lira. Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced the figure on 20 October 2026 after a new round of funding decisions. The latest round alone gives 180.4 million lira to 22 more projects.
With this round, the number of projects backed this year has reached 49. The ministry presents the increase as proof of growing support for Turkish cinema.
What the latest film production support decision covers
The new funding comes from decision 2026/6 of the Cinema Support Board (Sinema Destekleme Kurulu), the ministry body that approves state support for film projects. It covers four groups of projects:
- 6 first-feature fiction film projects
- 12 feature film production projects
- 1 post-production project
- 3 international co-productions
According to the ministry, the funded projects range from new films by experienced directors to debut features and animation. Three of them are feature-length animations for children and family audiences. The six new first features bring this year’s total in that category to 15.
Zeki Demirkubuz, Reha Erdem and a Palestinian filmmaker
In his statement, Ersoy named new projects by directors Zeki Demirkubuz and Reha Erdem. He also named a film by Palestinian filmmaker Tawfeek Barhom, whose project is called “The Trap.”
Barhom writes and directs the film. His short film “I’m Glad You’re Dead Now” won the Palme d’Or for short films at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The new project receives support as an international co-production that includes the Turkish company Alaz Film.
The ministry says the three co-productions in this round support creative partnerships between producers in Türkiye and filmmakers from other countries.
Why the 42% increase matters for Turkish cinema
State support is one of several funding routes for Turkish filmmakers, and many independent and first-time directors depend on it. A larger budget can let more projects move into production. The ministry says it wants to open the way for new talent, and the number of first-feature projects backed this year points in that direction.
The announcement does not say which earlier period the 42% increase is measured against. It also does not give release dates, budgets or casts for the funded films. Readers should treat the figures as funding decisions, not as confirmation that each film will be completed on a set schedule.
The Turkish series industry draws most of the international attention to Turkish screen culture, but the film sector runs on separate funding. This announcement shows where public money for the big screen is going this year.
Source: Sabah
Featured image: Sabah
