Zeynep Dilara

Documentary Filmmaker

About

Zeynep Dilara is an independent filmmaker who produces, directs, and writes interview and conversation-based digital documentaries for streaming platforms such as Disney+, TV channels like National Geographic, and social media platforms, primarily YouTube. She describes herself as a curious individual with a strong sense of sensibility, self- motivated, open to teamwork, work-oriented, proactive, and realistic. She believes in genuine romanticism and attributes her vitality and survival to her high life energy and love. A hallmark of her professional demeanor is her ability to keep a clear distinction between personal and professional matters, and she expects the same from her counterparts. Graduating with a degree in Information Technology (IT) in 2011, she ventured into creative writing for production companies and creative agencies. In the nascent stages of her professional journey, she gleaned invaluable insights from writers, journalists, academicians, and documentary filmmakers. Her filmmaking career commenced in 2013 with testimonial videos for art galleries in Turkey, where she captured artists and curators discussing exhibitions or collections. In 2016, she clinched her maiden filmmaking prize in a contest under the credits of writer and director with her inaugural pitching effort. The same year, she directed this film for national television. Relocating to Istanbul in 2017 to expand her filmmaking horizons in a larger environment, Zeynep Dilara embarked on her journey as an independent filmmaker. From 2017 to 2022, she predominantly directed documentary films. However, after three film projects faced cancellation in 2022 due to the economic climate in Turkey, she resolved to depart from the country. In early 2023, she made the move from Istanbul to New York, seeking opportunities for creative growth in a more expansive and advanced industry. Currently residing in Brooklyn, New York, she actively pursues opportunities to immerse herself in the city's culture and gain a deeper understanding of her surroundings. “If there's anything worthwhile doing for the sake of culture, it's delving into subject matters and situations that connect people," says Krzysztof Kieslowski. This quote has been a driving force behind Zeynep Dilara’s journey into documentary filmmaking. She created a 25-minute digital documentary, drawing inspiration from Krzysztof Kieslowski's 1980 documentary "The Talking Heads.” Her film featuring conversations with 20 different artists from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, capturing the essence of the city's creative spirit.

Country

United States

City

Brooklyn

Industry

Music

Skill

Documentary Production, Research Skills, Public Speaking, Travel Arrangements, Advertising, Choreography, Video Color Grading, Multi-camera Directing, Interview Preparation, Interviewing, Television writing, Social Impact Film, Television Directing, Film Industry, Documentary Research, Social Documentary, Sound Design, Screenwriting, Web Content Writing, Independent Film

Experience

Documentary Filmmaker

2012-11 - Present · 13 yrs 11 mos

New York, United States

-Documentary Filmmaking -Digital Film Series -Documenter Video Productions for TV Channels,Streaming Platforms, YouTube Channels

Documentary Filmmaker

Chaï Chaï

2020-1 - 2022-10 · 2 yrs 10 mos

Paris, Île-de-France, France

Grandmas Project is a collaborative web series sharing the recipes and stories of grandmas around the world, filmed by their grandchildren. In the second season of this film series, Zeynep Dilara chosen by Chai Chai Films for producing her film SILE to represent Turkey among the other international films. This 8 minutes documentary film premiered in Paris and has been screened in more than 10 countries with special screenings. Still getting invitations from documentary film festivals.

Documentary Filmmaker

VMLY&R (MA)

2021-1 - 2021-12 · 1 yr

Istanbul, Türkiye

I Exist (Ben Varim) Documentary Film Directing and Screenwriting, Vodafone Turkey & Besiktas Women's Soccer Vodafone has been advocating gender equality for years under the roof of #BenVarım (I Exist / I Am For in Turkish) and defying stereotypical perceptions that women cannot exist in professions associated with men. This 20-minute digital documentary film showcases the stories of the members of Turkey's most important women's football team Besiktas and depicts the history of women's football in Turkey. Film reached more than 3 Million audience in first week on YouTube

Video Series Director

Vodafone Business

2021-8 - 2021-11 · 4 mos

Istanbul, Türkiye

I directed a digital video series with technology writer and journalist Sardar Kuzuloglu for a special digital video series on Vodafone Business Turkey's YouTube channel with 9 episodes. In this series, alongside Serdar Kuzuloglu, Aslan Saranga, CEO of Domino’s Pizza Turkey, Öget Kantarcı, General Manager of GittiGidiyor, and Nevzat Aydın, founder and former CEO of Yemeksepeti, also participated.

Director

Anadolu Efes

2021-1 - 2021-4 · 4 mos

Istanbul, Türkiye

Campaign Film Directing; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9PwLIimVbY I directed a total of 8 separate films for Anadolu Efes' YouTube Channel, including cooking videos featuring recipes prepared by Somer Sivrioglu, the accompanying dishes to Anadolu Efes +1 product, as well as the promotional film for the +1 product, created in collaboration with Anadolu Efes's new product line +1 and Somer Sivrioglu.

Documentary Filmmaker

Cornerman Media Productions

2017-1 - 2020-4 · 3 yrs 4 mos

Istanbul, Türkiye

25 Liter (25 Litre) Documentary Film co-Director, National Geographic Turkey Mega Move (Maga Taşınma) Documentary Film Unit Director, National Geographic Global To the Sky (Hedef Gökyüzü) Documentary Film, Unit Director, TRT Belgesel

Documentary Filmmaker

Fox Corporation

2017-1 - 2020-4 · 3 yrs 4 mos

Istanbul, Türkiye

Directing Documentary Films for Fox Media Group:National Geographic + Fox Turkey 25 Litre (25 Liter): Co-Director Mega Taşınma (Mega Move): Unit Director

Performance Film Director

DasDas

2017-11 - 2018-3 · 5 mos

Istanbul, Türkiye

THE PERSIANS (YAKARANLAR) short promotional film, Independent, DASDAS Theatre The Persians is an ancient Greek tragedy written during the Classical period of Ancient Greece by the Greek tragedian Aeschylus. This 5 minute short film made as a promotional short film and adapted to screenplay based on original text.

Documentary Filmmaker

TRT

2017-6 - 2017-9 · 4 mos

Istanbul, Türkiye

To the Sky (Hedef Gokyuzu) Documentary Film, Unit Director, TRT Belgesel Production by Cornerman Delve into the making-of story of TEKNOFEST Istanbul, Turkey's first aviation, space, and technology festival. The documentary focuses on the processes experienced during the completion of the project, while incorporating side stories to highlight the significance of the project through explanatory information. It includes dramatic sequences unfolding during the organization, the journey of key characters who made the festival possible, and the narrative of how a colossal dream came to fruition.

Film Director

McCann KUALA LUMPUR

2016-1 - 2016-12 · 1 yr

Istanbul, Türkiye

Social Impact Film Directing for Turkish Television "Traffic is Life!", is the longest social responsibility project of the automotive sector and just celebrated 18th anniversary this year. Project aims to raise safety awareness and develop a positive culture about traffic with the practices it creates in light of society’s needs and expectations. This 45-second creative short film was selected and awarded in a filmmaking competition after a pitch presentation.