Mubi Cancels Annual Istanbul Festival After Government Bans ‘Queer’

Mubi has pulled the rug out from under its annual Mubi Fest Istanbul only hours before its opening night screening of “Queer.”

The indie distributor and streaming platform announced on social media that its festival in Turkey will no longer take place due to local authorities banning a screening of Luca Guadagnino‘s “Queer.” The Kadıköy District Governor’s Office deemed the film a “threat to public peace” because of its core storyline involving a gay romance.

“Hours before the opening of Mubi Fest Istanbul 2024, which we have been meticulously planning for months, and which was announced a few weeks ago and sold out days ago, we were informed that the screening of ‘Queer’ — the festival’s opening film — has been banned by a decision of the Kadıköy District Governorate of Istanbul,” a representative for Mubi wrote in a statement shared with IndieWire.

The statement continues, “The decision states that the film is prohibited on the grounds that it contains provocative content that could endanger public peace, with the ban being imposed for security reasons. We believe this ban is a direct restriction on art and freedom of expression. Festivals are spaces that celebrate art, cultural diversity, and community, bringing people together. This ban not only targets a single film but also undermines the very essence and purpose of the festival. For this reason, Mubi has decided to take the position that our audience expects from us. It is with deep regret that we inform you of our decision to cancel the entire Mubi Fest Istanbul. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the artists, audiences, and supporters who were eager to be part of the festival. We truly appreciate your understanding and solidarity. We know you are as saddened by this situation as we are.”

The statement concludes, “We will continue to advocate for the protection of freedom of expression and artistic integrity. Information regarding ticket refunds will be provided at a later date.”

The annual Mubi Fest Istanbul was set to take place from November 7 through 10. Additional films set for the festival included “Dahomey,” “La Cocina,” “Late Night with the Devil,” “Hit Man,” and “Perfect Days.” The festival annually screens feature films and shorts, with talks, Q&As, workshops, installations, and DJs performing across nine cities.

Mubi was founded by Turkish entrepreneur Efe Cakarel.