Hosting world renowned theatre actors, directors and companies including choreographer William Forsythe, French actress Fanny Ardant and Lithuanian director Eimuntas Nekrosius, the Festival offered to artlovers three weeks full of theatre and performance arts. Lithuanian director Eimuntas Nekrosius, Turkish actor Engin Cezzar and actress Gülriz Sururi have been the recipients of the Festival’s honorary awards.

Festival venues included Hagia Eirene Museum, Atatürk Cultural Centre, Haldun Taner Stage, Kenter Theatre, Garajistanbul, Santralistanbul, Muammer Karac Theatre, Sabancı University Performing Arts Centre, Antrepo No. 3, Ses Theatre, Institut Français d’İstanbul, Casa d’Italia, Bilsar, Galataperform, Pera Museum, Talimhane Theatre and Theatre Z. The Festival hosted workshops, talks, panels and film screenings alongside performances.

Hosting 33 theatre and dance companies and more than 70 performances, the Festival has formed a fruitful platform for future collaborations. The 17th International İstanbul Theatre Festival shall take place in May-June 2010.