CineMediterra Film Festival Brings Mediterranean Cinema to London
CineMediterra Film Festival is an exciting new initiative showcasing the richness and diversity of Mediterranean cinema in London, in partnership with MUBI and Hackney Picturehouse.
This year-round film program spotlights a different Mediterranean country in each edition, offering audiences a carefully curated selection of films alongside engaging Q&A sessions with filmmakers. Screenings take place at Hackney Picturehouse, where each event is transformed into a multi-sensory experience, featuring live Mediterranean music and culinary delights to foster cultural exchange and appreciation.
A Grand Opening with Turkish Cinema – April 5 & 6
The festival’s debut edition will take place on April 5th and 6th, with a special focus on Turkish cinema. The lineup includes:
- Time to Love (Sevmek Zamanı, 1965) – A rediscovered masterpiece by the legendary Metin Erksan, restored as part of MUBI’s first-ever restoration project. Inspired by Sufi tales, this poetic love story explores themes of self-discovery and romance across social classes. The film’s UK premiere at CineMediterra offers a rare opportunity for audiences to experience this cinematic gem on the big screen.
- Fate (Mukadderat, 2024) – A powerful award-winning feature by Nadim Güç, bringing contemporary Turkish cinema into the spotlight.
- ShortCut to Türkiye – A special selection of five critically acclaimed short films, each followed by an exclusive Q&A session with the filmmakers.
An Immersive Mediterranean Experience
Adding to the festival’s unique atmosphere, audiences will be transported by the soul-stirring sounds of Salih Korkut Peker. A visionary multi-instrumentalist and composer, Salih blends Anatolian folk traditions with contemporary sounds, delivering an electrifying live music performance that is not to be missed.
Cinephiles & Culture Enthusiasts: This Is Your Invitation
More than just a film festival, CineMediterra aims to become London’s premier platform for Mediterranean cinema, engaging diverse audiences and making a lasting cultural impact. Join us for this extraordinary cinematic journey where film, music, and culture come together in a celebration of Mediterranean storytelling.
Festival Programme:
🗓 April 5, Saturday
🎬 5pm: Time to Love (1965, Dir. Metin Erksan)
🎶 7pm: Live Music Performance by Salih Korkut Peker
🎬 8pm: Fate (2024, Dir. Nadim Güç)
🗓 April 6, Sunday
🎬 3pm: Short Film Selection (ShortCut to Türkiye)
– Everyday It Gets a Little Easy (2024 – Dir. Çağıl Bocut)
🌍 Website: www.cinemediterra.co.uk
📷 Instagram: @cinemediterra
TIME TO LOVE (Sevmek Zamanı) / Presented by MUBI
🎬 Director: Metin Erksan
🌍 Country: Turkey, 1965
🎭 Genre: Drama, Romance
⏳ Runtime: 91 min
🗣 Language: Turkish with English subtitles
Against the backdrop of the Princes’ Islands, south of Istanbul, where rainy days evoke a deep sense of longing, a love story like no other unfolds. Halil, a poor yet proud painter, takes a job in an opulent island villa, where he becomes enchanted by the image of a beautiful woman in a photograph. But when fantasy collides with reality, love takes on a poetic, almost spiritual form.
As MUBI’s first-ever restoration project, Metin Erksan’s unsung masterpiece comes to life once again, inviting audiences into a world of achingly beautiful longing and self-discovery. Inspired by Sufi tales, this mesmerizing story explores fatal idealism, modern loneliness, and the class divide in romance.
The newly restored version of Time to Love will be screened in the UK for the first time at CineMediterra, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience this cinematic gem in its finest form.
FATE (Mukadderat) / London Premiere
🎬 Director: Nadim Güç
🌍 Country: Turkey, 2024
🎭 Genre: Drama
⏳ Runtime: 90 min
🗣 Language: Turkish with English subtitles
After losing her husband, Sultan is consumed by fear of loneliness. To the shock of her children, she announces her intention to remarry—immediately. Her son Nevzat, deeply rooted in tradition, finds the idea scandalous, believing their small-town community would never accept such a decision. Reyhan, her daughter, tries to understand her mother’s wishes but struggles with the feeling that it’s simply too soon.
Despite their objections, Sultan remains unwavering in her choice, challenging societal norms and family expectations.
A deeply moving story about grief, autonomy, and the clash between tradition and self-determination, Fate makes its London premiere at CineMediterra, offering audiences a thought-provoking and emotionally charged cinematic experience.
