Bingol Elmas is an award-winning Turkish film director, producer, and screenwriter. Born in Istanbul in 1972, she studied filmmaking at Marmara University in Istanbul, and went on to work in the television industry as a production assistant and director. After working in television for a few years, Elmas was given the opportunity to direct her first feature film, “Araf” (2012).
“Araf”, which Elmas also wrote and produced, was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for 10 awards at the Istanbul International Film Festival, winning Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Actress. It was also selected for the Cannes Film Festival, and went on to win two awards at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Elmas’s follow-up feature, “Sivas” (2014), was also a success. It was nominated for seven awards at the Istanbul International Film Festival, winning Best Director and Best Film. It was also chosen as the opening film at the Sarajevo Film Festival, and went on to win the Golden Apple Award at the Moscow International Film Festival.
Elmas has since directed a number of other successful films, including “Mustang” (2015), “Kilometre Zero” (2017), and “Ahlat Agaci” (2018). She has also produced a number of short films, documentaries, and television series.
Elmas has received numerous awards throughout her career, including the Crystal Apple Award from the Moscow International Film Festival, the Special Jury Prize from the Istanbul International Film Festival, and the Golden Orange Award from the Antalya Film Festival. She was also named one of the “25 Most Powerful Women in Turkish Film” by Variety magazine in 2015.
Elmas continues to be an influential and innovative figure in Turkish cinema. She is a passionate advocate for female directors and filmmakers, and her work has been praised for its strong female characters, subtle social commentary, and visual beauty. Elmas’s films have been screened at festivals around the world, and she is considered one of the most important and influential figures in Turkish cinema today.
