Yilmaz Erdogan’s historical drama will receive its North American premiere on Feb 28 at Hollywood’s Egyptian Theater.

The Butterfly’s Dream takes place during the Second World War when two poets from a small town fall for the same girl and must compete for her love by writing a poem.

Erdogan wrote, directed and stars in the drama alongside Belcim Bilgin, Mert Firat and Kivanc Tatlitug. Necati Akpinar and Pelin Ekinci Kaya produce.

“Director Yilmaz Erdogan’s films have been a box office success in Turkish cinema for the past 10 years,” said festival director Cenk Erturk.

“He spent seven years working on his most recent film The Butterfly’s Dream, which is a true story… It holds the record for being made with the [highest] budget in Turkish cinema history,”

“I believe that any story told in an intelligent and genuine way is universal,” said Erdogan.

“Cultural differences don’t set us apart but unite us. And what is more natural than for a child of Anatolia to tell Anatolian stories.”

The LA Turkish Film Festival runs until Mar 3 and will also screen nine shorts as part of a competition programmed by critic Elvis Mitchell.

Bal director Semih Kaplanoglu presides over this year’s jury, which comprises Writers Guild Of America West VP Howard A Rodman, the Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences foreign language film committee co-chair Ron Yerxa, director Rob Nilsson and actress Belcim Bilgin.