Lia, a retired teacher from Georgia, is determined to find her long-lost niece, Tekla. When her 20-year-old neighbor tells her that Tekla has moved to Turkey, she travels to Istanbul, bringing along Achi, Tekla’s bold neighbor.
In the vibrant city, they make new connections and discover a world full of possibilities. But how do you find someone who might not want to be found? When they meet Evrim, a lawyer advocating for trans rights, it seems to give their search a new direction. As Lia and Achi navigate the streets of Istanbul, Tekla begins to feel closer than ever.
Crossing Istanbul is a heartwarming road movie about identity, acceptance, queerness, and unexpected friendships that transcend borders. Directed by renowned Georgian filmmaker Levan Akin (And Then We Danced, 2019), the film had its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, where it won the Teddy Jury Award. Following its success in Berlin, Crossing Istanbul toured numerous film festivals, receiving widespread praise for its stunning cinematography and the touching chemistry between its lead actors.
