We were lucky to catch up with Serkan Aktas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Serkan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is undoubtedly The Librarian. Not only because it’s my doctorate project in Film and Television at Beykent University, but also because it holds such a personal significance in my life and career. Completing this project allowed me to earn my Doctorate in Art, and becoming Dr. Serkan Aktaş is something that fills me with immense pride. It was a major milestone, and The Librarian will always be a symbol of my hard work and dedication.

However, making the film wasn’t without its challenges. The biggest obstacle I faced while directing The Librarian was shooting a movie during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, in October 2021, the pandemic was still having a very serious impact in Turkey. Since I wrote the script before the pandemic, many scenes were intended to be shot outdoors. But with strict health measures in place by the Ministry of Health, I was unable to get permission from the municipality for any exterior shots. As a student with limited resources, I didn’t have the budget to cover essential safety measures such as having an ambulance and paramedics on set.

There was a point when I thought about postponing the movie or even giving up, especially since the end of the pandemic seemed uncertain. Even many big-budget films were struggling, and some filmmakers had already quit. But instead of giving in to these difficulties, I decided to embrace a guerrilla filmmaking approach. With a passion for filmmaking and the support of my team, we quickly shot the exterior scenes in a way that adhered to the health measures, despite the challenges. In fact, these guerrilla-style exterior shots became some of the most praised aspects of the film. Many audience members and critics have pointed out that the exterior scenes are among the best parts of the film, which was incredibly rewarding for me.

The Librarian went on to receive over 65 awards and was selected by numerous prestigious film festivals worldwide. This success is not just a professional achievement; it’s a reflection of the hard work, creativity, and resilience that went into overcoming the obstacles we faced. For me, The Librarian will always be a symbol of perseverance and the kind of intellectual and artistic approach I aim to bring to all of my projects.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am an award-winning filmmaker, recognized globally for my work in fantasy and science fiction cinema. My journey into filmmaking began with a deep love for storytelling and a desire to explore real-world issues through creative lenses. Although I initially studied Business Administration and Mathematics, my true passion led me to pursue filmmaking at the Istanbul Cinema Academy and later earn a Master’s and Doctorate in Film and Television from Beykent University.

As a filmmaker, I provide creative services that include writing, directing, and producing original films. My works—such as The Librarian (2022), Mirrorty (2017), and Resurrection Under the Ocean (2021)—blend entertainment with intellectual depth. I aim to create films that people can watch over and over again, offering not only joy and wonder but also new perspectives on real-world problems. Through my films, I strive to contribute to solutions or spark conversations that matter.

What sets me apart from others is my intellectual approach to filmmaking. I don’t just make movies for entertainment; I use cinema as a platform to challenge and inspire. The genres I work in—fantasy and science fiction—allow me to explore complex issues and offer creative solutions. This unique perspective and dedication to meaningful storytelling give my work a distinctive voice.

I am proud to say that my movies have won more than 250 awards in total, and I have personally received 215 of those awards as a filmmaker. I am honored to be recognized as the most award-winning filmmaker in Turkey. This achievement is a reflection of the passion, dedication, and hard work I’ve put into every project, and it motivates me to continue striving for excellence.

For my followers and fans, I want them to know that my work is not just about creating entertainment—it’s about using film as a tool for change. I aim to create films that entertain, inspire, and challenge, while addressing real-world issues. Cinema has the power to make a difference, and that’s what drives me in my creative journey.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes, there is a particular mission that drives my creative journey, and it is deeply rooted in my intellectual perspective and my identity as a filmmaker. My ultimate goal is to use cinema as a tool to address real-world issues and offer solutions to the unsolved problems of our time. As I always say, “With my intellectual perspective and filmmaker identity, I strive to find solutions to the world’s unsolved real-world problems or contribute to those solutions through making movies. That’s what I do.”

Cinema, for me, is not just an art form; it’s a powerful platform for change. Through my films, I aim to challenge conventional thinking, provoke important conversations, and inspire new ways of understanding the world. This mission drives everything I do as a filmmaker.

At the same time, my background in mathematics and business administration adds a unique dimension to my work. It allows me to approach filmmaking analytically and strategically, while still maintaining the creative and artistic vision that defines my films. The combination of these intellectual aspects enables me to address complex issues through storytelling in a way that is both thought-provoking and accessible.

Ultimately, my goal is to create films that are not only entertaining but also contribute meaningfully to society by offering solutions or raising awareness about the world’s most pressing challenges. That is the heart of my work, and it’s what motivates me every day as a filmmaker.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that official permission is always essential when making a film, especially as an indie filmmaker. When I started my journey, I believed that obtaining formal permits for everything was crucial to ensuring a professional and smooth production. This mindset was reinforced by the fact that I was still a student and working within the traditional structure of filmmaking, where permissions are strictly followed. I thought there was no alternative.

However, during the production of The Librarian, I encountered a significant challenge. We were filming during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I quickly realized that getting official permission for exterior shots was nearly impossible. The pandemic had caused major restrictions, and municipalities were not granting any permits for filming. I was faced with a decision: postpone the film or find a way to continue.

At this point, I had to rethink everything. Instead of adhering strictly to the belief that official permission was the only way, I decided to use a guerrilla filmmaking technique. This approach, which involves filming without permits and often under tight constraints, proved to be far more effective in the context we were in. We completed the exterior scenes quickly and successfully without any major setbacks, and, in fact, many critics and audiences later pointed out that those guerrilla-shot exterior scenes were some of the best in the film.

This experience taught me that sometimes you have to adapt and let go of old assumptions in order to find more creative, effective solutions. The lesson I unlearned was that permission isn’t always the key to success—creativity and adaptability often are.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serkan-aktas-a12463260/
• Twitter: https://x.com/AktashSerkan
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBTv2OlCkA3KMcz4pqyG-EA
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14575507/
  https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4089513-serkan-aktas
  https://letterboxd.com/director/serkan-aktas/
  https://filmfreeway.com/SerkanAktas
  https://vimeo.com/user67879661

Image Credits

Photo by Serkan Aktaş