Turkish co-productions and a drama set on the Bulgaria–Türkiye border offer T‑VINE readers three films to seek out at this year’s BFI London Film Festival.
The festival returns from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 18 October 2026, bringing 251 films, shorts, series and immersive works from 88 countries to London and other UK venues. Its 70th edition includes 33 world premieres, while 43% of the programme comprises works made by female filmmakers.
Among the films with a Türkiye connection is A Bit of Light (pictured top), an Iranian political drama directed by Ali Asgari. Its central character is a doctor whose practice is shut down after he treats injured anti-government protesters. As despair takes hold, he prepares to end his life, but time spent with his loved ones causes him to reconsider. Türkiye is listed among the film’s five co-production countries. It screens on Saturday 17 October at Vue West End and Sunday 18 October at BFI Southbank.
Türkiye is also a co-production country for Supporting Role, Georgian director Ana Urushadze’s portrait of a once-celebrated actor returning to work after a 15-year absence. Offered a part in a film directed by a young woman, he must confront a changing industry and his own ideas about masculinity. The film screens on Wednesday 7 October at the ICA and Friday 9 October at BFI Southbank.
Scene from Supporting Role
The third connection is geographical. The Dreamed Adventure, directed by Valeska Grisebach, unfolds in a lawless town on the Bulgaria–Türkiye border. It follows an archaeologist who reconnects with an old acquaintance and becomes drawn into his murky business affairs. Although Türkiye is not listed as a production country, the border setting makes the tense drama another film of interest to T‑VINE readers. Screenings take place on Saturday 10 October at the ICA and Sunday 11 October at Curzon Soho.
Scene from The Dreamed Adventure
The festival opens with Simon Stone’s Elsinore, the true story of actor Ian Charleson, and closes with Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut, a comedy drama about community theatre starring Julianne Moore.
Other gala selections include Danny Boyle’s Ink, Taika Waititi’s Klara and the Sun and Mike Leigh’s Tender Loving Care. Alongside the screenings, audiences can explore short films, competitions and immersive storytelling.
Event details: The 70th BFI London Film Festival runs 7–18 October 2026. Screening times, tickets and the full programme are available through the BFI London Film Festival website.
