Speaking at the opening reception at Banana Otel, Alanya Municipality Deputy Mayor Ali Yenialp stated that they were pleased the festival was being held in Alanya and that they would embrace the event wholeheartedly and exert effort to ensure its continuation. Türk Sinema Vakfı General Secretary Aydın Sayman also said that a cultural gesture was being made to foreign friends living in Alanya.
Stating that they support activities that will contribute to the promotion of Alanya and evaluating the events, Burhan Sili, President of the Alanya Tourist Operators Association (ALTİD) and Board Member of the Turkish Hotel Association (TÜROFED), said that fair promotions are conducted in about 25 countries every year and that they provide significant contributions to these promotional efforts as Alanya from the ALTİD budget. Emphasizing that promotion cannot be limited to fairs alone, Sili highlighted the importance of promotional diversity as much as tourism diversity. Sili stated, “The cinema festival, which will be organized in Alanya for the first time in 2016, and the cinema forum that started in Alanya and will continue until September 2nd, will provide significant contributions to promotion. Along with famous Russian filmmakers, Russian members of the press will also be in Alanya for these events.”
ALTİD Vice President and Alanya Promotion Foundation (ALTAV) Board Member Mehmet Dahaoğlu also stated during the forum that Turkish and Russian film screenings would be held free of charge at the Alanya Cultural Center (AKM). Expressing that he personally carries out Alanya promotion activities at around 10 fairs organized in foreign countries annually and that he is well aware of the importance of cultural, sporting, and artistic events held between countries, Dahaoğlu said, “Promotion is an inseparable part of tourism. If you cannot express yourself, you fall behind competing countries. As Alanya, we have covered significant ground in terms of promotion and have diversified our activities. I believe this festival, in which we will effectively utilize the Russian media, is also an important promotional effort.”
The Crystal Castle International Alanya Film Festival is supported by the Alanya District Governorate, Alanya Municipality, ALTİD, Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ALTSO), and ALTAV.