The movie tells the story of a dozen elite warriors from around the world who are kidnapped and forced to take part in fight-to-the-death survival games.
The Turkish action feature 12 Warriors is set to make its mark on the international stage with upcoming screenings and sales presentations at the American Film Market (AFM) and Ventana Sur, with Los Angeles-based House of Film managing worldwide sales, Deadline reported.
The film follows 12 elite fighters from across the globe who are abducted and forced to compete in brutal, fight-to-the-death survival games orchestrated by Sergey, a disgraced and ruthless former Russian intelligence officer. Sergey’s underground operation attracts a secret network of global elites, including crime bosses, politicians and billionaires, turning violence into a spectacle for the powerful.
Producers describe 12 Warriors as a standout action film that combines visceral combat sequences with a deeper exploration of power, morality and survival. “The film stands out not only for its real action scenes but also for its profound thematic underpinnings,” the filmmakers said, adding that the project aims to represent Turkish cinema on an international level. The completed film will have an official screening during AFM.
Produced by IBP Film, 12 Warriors is co-directed by Omer Ilhan and Ates Ozkan. The ensemble cast features Tom So, Roon Moss, Afif Ben Badra, Costas Mandylor, Franky Lankester and Tomas Sjomju. The production, which blends English and Turkish dialogue, was designed to appeal to both regional and global audiences.
The project comes at a time when Turkish screen productions are gaining significant international traction. Turkish television dramas, in particular, continue to dominate markets in Latin America, the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe, and are now expanding into Western territories. Building on that momentum, early pre-sales for 12 Warriors began during MIPCOM in Cannes.
Following its showcase at AFM in Los Angeles, the film’s global sales campaign will move to Ventana Sur — Latin America’s audiovisual market — which will take place in Buenos Aires from December 1. With its strong action appeal and international cast, 12 Warriors is poised to introduce a new dimension of Turkish cinema to audiences worldwide.
