02 May 2025 Friday
Gelişim Film Academy Reopens Its Doors: Cinema Meets Young Minds in Beypazarı
These workshops are specifically designed to reach out to young individuals who have never received formal education in filmmaking. Participants will be introduced to the foundational elements of cinema—screenwriting, camera operation, lighting, sound, and directing—through a curriculum that combines both theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice. In addition to learning the technical aspects of film production, students will also gain communication skills such as teamwork, creative collaboration, and problem-solving, which are essential throughout the filmmaking process. This approach emphasizes that cinema is not merely a technical craft, but also a collaborative learning and expressive art form.
Set to begin in June, this special workshop will be conducted using a uniquely designed curriculum developed by the Faculty of Fine Arts at Istanbul Gelişim University. The project will take place in Beypazarı, a historic district of Ankara, and is supported by Beypazarı Municipality’s Directorate of Cultural Affairs and the Beypazarı District Governorship. One of the goals of the workshop is to make the region’s rich cultural heritage more visible through the lens of cinema.
Workshop Coordinator, Lecturer Ahmet Bikiç, emphasized that this program is not solely focused on technical proficiency in filmmaking, stating:
“Our goal is to introduce young people to the art of cinema while also helping them gain a new aesthetic perspective on life. Every young person has a story to tell, and through these workshops, we are providing a platform for those stories to be transformed into cinematic narratives.”
Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Prof. Dr. Güzin Ilıcak Aydınalp, highlighted the social and pedagogical significance of the project, sharing the following insights:
“Expanding access to arts education is one of the core missions of our university. This workshop offers a valuable opportunity not only for those interested in cinema, but also for any young person seeking to discover their potential, gain self-confidence, and participate in a creative production process. Hosting this project in a culturally rich and historic area like Beypazarı is also meaningful in terms of connecting local heritage with younger generations.”
At the end of the month-long educational program, participants will have produced their own short documentary films, which will be publicly screened at a gala event open to the local community. In doing so, the project aims to foster a space where both local audiences and aspiring young filmmakers can engage with artistic production in a meaningful way.
