Crossing Istanbul (ENG SUBS)

Lia, a retired teacher from Georgia, is determined to find her long-lost transgender niece, Tekla. When she learns from her twenty-year-old neighbor that Tekla has moved to Turkey, she travels to Istanbul and brings along the audacious Achi. In the vibrant city, they make new connections and discover a world full of possibilities. But how do you find someone who may not want to be found? When they meet Evrim, a trans rights lawyer, it seems to aid their search. As Lia and Achi navigate the alleyways of Istanbul, Tekla begins to feel closer than ever.

Crossing Istanbul is a heartwarming road movie about identity, acceptance, and unexpected friendships that transcend boundaries. The film, by renowned director Levan Akin (And Then We Danced), had its world premiere at the Berlinale, where it was awarded the Teddy Jury Award. After Berlin, Crossing Istanbul embarked on a successful tour of many film festivals and was widely praised for its stunning cinematography and touching chemistry between the lead actors.