Istanbul International Film Festival
History
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.
The Film Award of the Council of Europe
The Council of Europe will present the FACE award at the International Istanbul Film Festival to the director of a film that raises public awareness and interest in human rights issues and creates better understanding of their importance.
The FACE award is intended to honour an artistic or documentary film that promotes human rights in accordance with the values of the Council of Europe and the principles of individual freedom, political liberty and the rule of law.
The FACE award will be offered to a film selected from entries in the Human Rights in Cinema section of the festival. This includes films investigating social changes and individual dramas.
The FACE award includes a sculpture in bronze and a cash prize of 10000 €, which is offered in collaboration with Eurimages, the Council of Europe fund for the co-production, distribution and exhibition of European cinematographic works.
In the name of the Secretary General, Terry Davis, Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner, Thomas Hammarberg will present the first Council of Europe Film Award on 14 April 2007. The Film Award of the Council of Europe is established as an annual collaboration between the International Istanbul Film Festival and the Council of Europe.