The Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival as Cultural Counter-Hegemony
Özet
This article examines the Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival as a case of cultural counter-hegemony and regional soft power. Established in 2021 through collaboration between Turkey and the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TÜRKSOY), the festival aims to foreground the shared cinematic heritage of Turkic-speaking communities across Eurasia. Drawing on theories of cultural imperialism (Schiller, Tomlinson), soft power (Nye), and postcolonialism (Said, Bhabha), the study analyzes how the festival functions as a platform for resisting global cultural homogenization, particularly the dominance of Western media narratives. It argues that the festival fosters intercultural solidarity, promotes cultural continuity, and elevates regional identity through film. The article contextualizes Korkut Ata’s strategic role in Turkey’s broader cultural diplomacy, comparing its programming and ideological framing with global and regional counterparts such as Cannes, Berlinale, Fajr, and MIFF. It further discusses opportunities and challenges faced by the festival, including linguistic accessibility, inclusivity, global visibility, and ideological framing. Recommendations include embracing digital platforms, multilingual promotion, inclusive content, and international collaborations to increase its global impact. Ultimately, the festival is framed not just as a regional cinematic event, but as a cultural movement that reclaims narrative sovereignty and enacts a multipolar cultural world order. Through shared stories and cooperation, the Korkut Ata Festival offers a compelling model for cultural resilience and identity-building in the face of hegemonic globalization.
Referanslar
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Bulut, H. (2019, January 28). Cultural Diplomacy Through Turkish Cinema. USC Center on Public Diplomacy.
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Cummings, M. C. (2003). Cultural Diplomacy and the United States Government: A Survey. Washington, DC: Center for Arts and Culture.
Ersoy, M. N. (2021). Message from the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey. In Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival official website (Mesajlar).
Jannati, A. (2015, May 2). Fajr Film Festival token of Iran cultural diplomacy: Minister. IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency).
Kılıç, A. (2024). Siyasal İktidar ve Kültürün Yeniden İnşası: Türkiye'de Festivalin Dönüş(üm)ü (Political Power and the Reconstruction of Culture: The Transformation of Festivals in Turkey). Mülkiye Dergisi, Culture Special Issue, 105–144.
Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival – Official Website (2021-2024). Festival Aims and Program Information. Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey / TÜRKSOY.
Nye, J. S. (2004). Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics. New York: PublicAffairs.
Oltermann, P. (2025, May 22). On the road to somewhere… Cannes film festival reminds us world cinema and ‘globalism’ are not the same. The Guardian.
Rampal, K. R. (2005). Cultural Imperialism or Economic Necessity?: The Hollywood Factor in the Reshaping of the Asian Film Industry. Global Media Journal, 4(6), 1–15.
Raev, S. (2023). Speech at the 3rd Korkut Ata Film Festival Award Ceremony, Shusha. In TÜRKSOY News (October 11, 2023).
Said, E. (1978). Orientalism. New York: Pantheon Books.
Shirinov, R. (2024, March 11). The Rise of the Turkic World in Eurasian Geopolitics. Wilson Center.
The Independent (2010, February 11). Berlin film fest looks back at 60 years of scandal. (Quote of D. Kosslick).
TÜRKSOY (2023, October 11). The Third Korkut Ata Film Festival of the Turkic World came to an end. TÜRKSOY News.
UNESCO (2005). Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Paris: UNESCO.
Yaşar, İ. (2021, Nov 8). Heart of Turkic cinematic world beats in Istanbul. Daily Sabah.
Referanslar
Assaniyaz, A. (2024, April 3). TURKSOY’s Cultural Diplomacy: Large-Scale Projects, National Values, Focus on Youth. The Astana Times.
Bulut, H. (2019, January 28). Cultural Diplomacy Through Turkish Cinema. USC Center on Public Diplomacy.
Cengiz, S. (2023, October 30). Cultural diplomacy can boost Turkiye-Gulf relations. Arab News.
Cummings, M. C. (2003). Cultural Diplomacy and the United States Government: A Survey. Washington, DC: Center for Arts and Culture.
Ersoy, M. N. (2021). Message from the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Turkey. In Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival official website (Mesajlar).
Jannati, A. (2015, May 2). Fajr Film Festival token of Iran cultural diplomacy: Minister. IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency).
Kılıç, A. (2024). Siyasal İktidar ve Kültürün Yeniden İnşası: Türkiye'de Festivalin Dönüş(üm)ü (Political Power and the Reconstruction of Culture: The Transformation of Festivals in Turkey). Mülkiye Dergisi, Culture Special Issue, 105–144.
Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival – Official Website (2021-2024). Festival Aims and Program Information. Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey / TÜRKSOY.
Nye, J. S. (2004). Soft Power: The Means to Success in World Politics. New York: PublicAffairs.
Oltermann, P. (2025, May 22). On the road to somewhere… Cannes film festival reminds us world cinema and ‘globalism’ are not the same. The Guardian.
Rampal, K. R. (2005). Cultural Imperialism or Economic Necessity?: The Hollywood Factor in the Reshaping of the Asian Film Industry. Global Media Journal, 4(6), 1–15.
Raev, S. (2023). Speech at the 3rd Korkut Ata Film Festival Award Ceremony, Shusha. In TÜRKSOY News (October 11, 2023).
Said, E. (1978). Orientalism. New York: Pantheon Books.
Shirinov, R. (2024, March 11). The Rise of the Turkic World in Eurasian Geopolitics. Wilson Center.
The Independent (2010, February 11). Berlin film fest looks back at 60 years of scandal. (Quote of D. Kosslick).
TÜRKSOY (2023, October 11). The Third Korkut Ata Film Festival of the Turkic World came to an end. TÜRKSOY News.
UNESCO (2005). Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Paris: UNESCO.
Yaşar, İ. (2021, Nov 8). Heart of Turkic cinematic world beats in Istanbul. Daily Sabah.
