“The Turkish community is one of the largest in Queens and it has always supported us”, explained Marie Castaldo, Executive Director and Founder of the Queens International Film Festival, “This year, we continue to recognize and celebrate our diversity by showcasing the world’s best international film and honoring world renowned talent such as Meltem Cumbul and Isil Bagdadi.”

For its 7^th edition, the festival will honor well-known Turkish actress Meltem Cumbul and present a special recognition to the Cavu Pictures team, independent movie mavericks Isil Bagdadi and Michael Sergio, highlighting their rise to prominence in the world of independent film distribution and production.

Meltem Cumbul had leading roles in movies such as Karisik Pizza, Geboren in Absurdistan and the musical Anlat Sehrazat Anlat. Meltem acted in the popular TV series Biz Size Asik Olduk, Besik Kertmesi and Gurbet Kadini. Meltem's role in the movie Abdülhamit Düserken won her the Golden Orange Prize at the Antalya Film Festival. Next, she acted in the award winning and critically acclaimed movie Gegen die Wand.

Isil Bagdadi has worked in the film industry since 1997 as a producer, a marketing and distribution executive. Her first film as a producer was Michael Sergio's directorial debut Under Hellgate Bridge which won numerous film festivals, including The Regal Cinemas Dreammaker award at the Nashville Film Festival, and was later released by Lions Gate Entertainment on DVD. In 2001, Isil and Michael started CAVU Pictures in order to finance, develop, produce, acquire and distribute independent films. As the President of Distribution & Marketing at CAVU, Isil has overseen the theatrical campaigns for numerous successful independent films.