Few things will gain you more favor in the eyes of a festival director than a familiarity with the annual cycle most festivals go through and your attention to detail when it comes to the peculiarities of that festival. One of the most useful weapons in an independent filmmaker's arsenal is a general understanding of the way film festivals work. If you’re just getting started on your festival journey, it’s a good overview of the festival year and the what, how, and why of festivals in general. That’s why this article exists - it assumes very little knowledge about what film festivals are or how they work. Often it’s worse, since every festival invents its own way of doing things and some words (like “screener”) have multiple meanings. You take for granted the conventions and jargon used commonly by those “on the inside” with you, only to be brought up short when a newcomer asks you exactly what you mean when you use that word. When you immerse yourself in a topic – discussing, thinking, and writing about it over a period of years – you can’t help but lose the beginner’s perspective. Therefore, it gives me great pleasure in turn to extend to you our hospitality at UNOG and invite you to enjoy this exhibition of photographs portraying a country that is rich in history, natural beauty and cultural heritage.A Beginner’s Guide to the Film Festival Year The Turkish people are renowned for their remarkable hospitality and generosity. However, as an Organization that serves people who are often unable to speak for themselves, we too have an obligation to capture and hold the attention of the world. The United Nations may not be quite as colourful in its work as the images displayed here this evening. Work at the United Nations requires us to be attentive to the nuances and differing tones that may define international dialogue and to seek to understand one another. As in photography, how we see others is also influenced by our perception of things. Indeed, this is also applicable in the work of the United Nations. Much also depends on how we perceive the final print, which is equally influenced by outside factors, such as lighting or where it is displayed, as it is by our cultural beliefs and diverging backgrounds. It is capturing or recording a moment in time and at a specific place, which depending on outside elements that are sometimes beyond one’s control, or the tools that you choose to use, can portray to the viewer a multitude of images that are all different but nonetheless each representative of that same moment. While this requires a meeting of the minds, a common vision and shared objectives, it cannot be achieved without learning to respect and appreciate each other regardless of where one is from. Indeed, as some of this evening’s photographs show, Turkey – with principles strongly embedded in secularism and respect for religious and multicultural diversity serves as inspiration in our efforts to counter policies and actions, which isolate cultures and societies from one another. As you are aware, Turkey, along with Spain, is co-sponsor of the Alliance of Civilizations, which is intended to respond to the effort by the international community to overcome prejudice, misconceptions, misperceptions and polarization which in many ways can threaten world peace. Turkey is also a promoter of intercultural dialogue and respect for our diversity globally. It is precisely these divergent but complementary elements that contribute to the richness and diversity of Turkish cultural heritage. This evening’s photographs portray Turkey’s contrasting elements, which is also where its strength and richness lie – a country that has its roots in both Asian and European cultures a country rich in both Islamic and Western traditions a peoples with different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds. Izzet Keribar’s photographs are not only a welcome presentation of Turkey’s stunning natural, architectural and historical sites but also an illustration of the rich cultural heritage of its peoples, defined by a strong belief in multiculturalism, understanding and tolerance. We also appreciate having the artist with us this evening. Allow me first to take this opportunity to thank Ambassador Kurttekin and the Permanent Mission of Turkey for their contribution and commitment to the UNOG Cultural Activities Programme. It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Palais des Nations this evening on the occasion of the opening of the exhibition by Izzet Keribar entitled “Lights and Colours of Turkey”. Director-General of the United Nations Office at GenevaĪt the opening of a photo exhibition by Izzet Keribar entitled
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