Director Murat Ferhat Akay moves filmmaking journey from Turkey to Germany

Director Murat Ferhat Akay has transitioned his filmmaking journey from Şırnak, Turkey, to Germany. Inspired by the philosophy of Ara Güler—that the best tools do not guarantee the best art—Akay began his career at age 19 using only a mobile phone and zero budget.

To produce his early works, Akay relied on hitchhiking and local cooperation, often working with shopkeepers and residents to facilitate his shoots. His filmography includes titles such as ‘Fısıltı’, ‘Ruhun Hapsi 1-2’, ‘Gölge Hanım’, ‘At Gözü’, and ‘Üşüyen Güneş’.

His current project, ‘Beşinci Mevsim’, involves filming across various locations including İdil, Cizre, Mardin, Diyarbakır, Ankara, and Germany. Akay aims to use his art to highlight regional history and culture, specifically mentioning an interest in reflecting the legacies of scholars like El Cezeri and Ahmedi Hani through his work.