What's on - February

!F, the Istanbul International Independent Film Festival is being organised for the 10th time between 17-27 February. A wide range of cutting edge international and Turkish films are on the programme, most of which were produced in 2010. In order to take contemporary films to the countryside, organisers joined forces with an online cinema website and civil organisations. Screenings will be held in 23 cities in Turkey, many of which lack a cinema altogether, and also in Ramallah, Tbilisi, Gymri. Workshops (in Turkish, English and French) on film making and current trends are also organised, some with the contribution of the Sundance Film Institute and Labs. The !F Rainbow party will be held at Babylon and Nublu on 25 February.



An exceptional photography exhibition opened on 8 Jan (running until 24 April, 2011) in the Sadberk Hanım Museum in Sarıyer. The “Dynasty and the Camera: Portraits from the Ottoman Court” exhibition showcases a selection from the rich collection of Ömer Koç. Pictures give an intimate view of the life of the royal family. The permanent collection of archeological finds and Turkish-Islamic art is also well worth spending time in. (Watch out, this museum is closed on Wednesdays!)

Do you long to go to the countryside but don’t have the time going there? A small photo exhibition brings the magnificent Kaçkars and the Eastern Black Sea coast to Istanbul, and you only have to go to Beyoğlu for it (until 28 February).

“Megapolises”, the work of the Moroccan-born installation artist Mounir Fatmi can be seen at the Akbank Sanat in Beyoğlu (until 19 March). “Considering Cricumstances: The second show” is at the Borusan Art Centre, also in Beyoğlu (until 12 March). Zafer Erkan’s paintings "At the back of my mind" can be seen at Ormo Art Gallery until 26 February.

For the ongoing exhibitions (Grand Bazar, Frida Kahlo, Kutluğ Ataman, Aga Khan collection) see the January post.

One of the big hits of the music scene will be Macy Gray singing on the Babylon stage on Valentine’s day (and also on 15 February). The same venue will host Baba Zula, a creative Turkish band on 10 February. Should you want more traditional tunes, listen to the Husnu Senlendirici Ensemble (17 February). A fascinating gig will be returning to Babylon on 19 February: Naim Dilmener is playing Turkish classics along with Sarp Dakni’s foreign nostalgic pop hits. Tülay Özer will accompany the two with live songs.

International starts of Cirque du Soleil also come to Istanbul and perform “Saltimbanco” at Abdi Ipekci Arena (between 19 February and 4 March).