🎬 Culture, empathy, and peace — sometimes they all find their expression in art, in the frame of a single film. Film Diplomacy stands right at that intersection: an international initiative that harnesses the transformative power of cinema to bring together young leaders, artists, and changemakers from across the globe.
Seeing art as a universal language of diplomacy, Film Diplomacy aims to make the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) more tangible and relatable through the power of storytelling. Its premiere in Istanbul gathered delegates from over 20 countries — creating a space where themes like peace, equality, and climate action were explored through film, dialogue, and creativity.
🎞️ About Film Diplomacy
Film Diplomacy is an international initiative that uses the power of cinema and storytelling to foster cross-cultural dialogue, youth empowerment, and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By creating a platform for young leaders to share ideas, Film Diplomacy promotes understanding, collaboration, and innovation toward a more peaceful and sustainable world.
🎥 When Art Becomes Diplomacy at The Film Diplomacy Premiere
On the 20th of September 2025, Films Diplomacy held its Premiere in Istanbul, gathering youth delegates from over 20 countries, along with global leaders, professors, and cultural representatives. The event explored how arts such as cinema can raise awareness and drive action for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Marking the official launch of the Films Diplomacy journey, the premiere emphasised the role of art in promoting global peace, cultural understanding, and youth empowerment.
The Film Diplomacy Premiere gathered an audience and delegates from over 20 countries and diverse backgrounds, followed by honoured guests: Yeşim Bayrakcı – Curator of the Global Shapers Community in the Istanbul Hub under the World Economic Forum, member of Climate Hub Istanbul. Burak Saygılı – Cultural entrepreneur and educator. Ahmed F. Selim is a film director and co-founder of the Films for World Peace Festival. Gabriel Onyebuolise – UN SDG’s advocate, representative of the African SDG’s Film Festival. He was accompanied by several university professors and media representatives.
In his opening remarks, Raheel Ahmad – CEO and Founder of Film Diplomacy emphasised the importance of film as a universal language by saying:
“Stories connect us in ways that politics and borders often cannot. Through film, we can listen, understand, and find common ground – and that’s where peace begins.
During the premiere, delegates viewed ten short films that were originally produced for international film festivals and screened in collaboration with Film Diplomacy. Each addressing crucial global challenges such as racism, war & children welfare (short movie by Save The Children), and climate justice (PLASTIK – A Wake Up Call to End Plastic Pollution, by UN Environment Programme). These screenings sparked meaningful discussions that quickly transformed into resolution-writing sessions that unfolded how cinema can inspire change and create practical solutions for real-world issues. The event concluded with a red carpet awards ceremony. Awards such as Best Team Resolution, Best Delegate, and the Peace Award were presented. The night ended on a warm note, as all guests gathered for dinner and networking
One of our guests, former journalist and academician Alex (Altuğ) Sami Icilensu, shared his reflections on the event:
“In a way, it felt like a reincarnation of my own thoughts. I truly believe that we are living through a kind of proxy war in culture. It’s not about spilling blood, but about sharing our emotions and helping others realize that we are all human beings. And for this, art is a powerful tool.”
One of the youth delegates, Yhixhya Pheryll Barro, winner of the Best Delegate Award – shared her excitement about the upcoming Film Diplomacy Conference in December:
“I’m most excited about meeting different experts from diverse backgrounds. I think it’s such a huge opportunity for students. That’s definitely something I’m looking forward to.”
Following this, Yeşim Bayrakcı the Curator of the Global Shapers Community in the Istanbul Hub, described how Film Diplomacy is the great example of using art as one of the ways to raise awareness differs from that of other organizations working on similar agendas. She noted that cinema is not only to inform, but to move and to remind us that the power of visual storytelling lies in its ability to make global issues seen and felt.
Film Diplomacy will continue its journey with an upcoming conference this December. The conference will feature masterclass on visual storytelling and diplomacy, followed by a hands-on experience with a 24-hour filmmaking challenge. Where teams will produce short films centered on themes of peace, sustainability, and cross-cultural understanding. Through these workshops and productions, Film Diplomacy aims to bridge art and action. We believe that arts can combine the power of visual storytelling with the principles of diplomacy to create a space where dialogue is filmed, shared, and felt.
Looking Ahead
This premiere marked only the beginning of Film Diplomacy’s journey. The organisation will continue its mission with the main Film Diplomacy Conference, set to take place on December 19-20-21, 2025, in Istanbul, further uniting global voices in art, culture, and dialogue for peace.
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🌍 Continuing the Journey of Peace Through Film
Following this inspiring beginning, Film Diplomacy continues its journey this December with the main conference in Istanbul — a three-day event featuring masterclasses on visual storytelling and diplomacy, and a 24-hour filmmaking challenge that invites participants to turn ideas into action.
Film Diplomacy is building a bridge between art and real-world impact — turning stories into diplomacy, and audiences into changemakers.
At Apartman No:26, we’re proud to celebrate and support this visionary initiative.
To stay up to date with Film Diplomacy’s inspiring work and upcoming events, visit and follow:
🌐 filmsdiplomacy.com
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