Story perspectives

Turkish Director’s Black-White Drama Leads Shanghai Competition

6/18/2026

Summary

Çelik Leads Competition

Night of Blindness, a black-and-white drama by Turkish director Reis Çelik, leads the Shanghai Film Festival competition.
Çelik says the plot, drawn from his own 1980 coup escape, follows activist Özge Arslan as workers may protect or betray her while inspector Istar Gökseven interrogates them.
He filmed at night so a single light “stands out” and reveals true selves, with Golden Goblet winners to be announced on June 20.

Summary

Kering Showcases China

Kering Women in Motion highlighted Chinese cinema by featuring veteran actress Cecilia Yip and newcomer Rebecca Li Manxuan.
Since 2015, the Kering initiative has partnered with Michelle Yeoh and Julianne Moore to combat gender bias.
Tunisian producer Dora Bouchoucha and Peruvian documentarian Carla Gutiérrez served on the feature and documentary juries.
SIFF launched three youth programs—ING Young Filmmakers, NEXT Training Camp, and YOUNG × Shanghai—supporting 78 films for theatrical release.

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Çelik Leads Competition

Night of Blindness, a black-and-white drama by Turkish director Reis Çelik, leads the Shanghai Film Festival competition.
Çelik says the plot, drawn from his own 1980 coup escape, follows activist Özge Arslan as workers may protect or betray her while inspector Istar Gökseven interrogates them.
He filmed at night so a single light “stands out” and reveals true selves, with Golden Goblet winners to be announced on June 20.

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