Yeşim Ustaoğlu

65, from Kars, Turkey

Artwork for Dream WorkersImage of Yeşim Ustaoğlu

Biography

After making several award-winning shorts in Turkey, Yesim Ustaoğlu made her feature film debut with 1994's 'The Trace' (İz). The film was presented at numerous international festivals, including Moscow and Gotenburg and won the Best Film Award at Istanbul Film Festival. Yesim Ustaoğlu received international recognition for her 1999 film, 'Journey To The Sun' (Güneşe Yolculuk) which competed in Berlinale and received the Blue Angel Award (Best European Film) and the Peace Prize before sweeping the Istanbul Film Festival by winning Best Film, Best Director, the FIPRESCI Prize and the Audience Award. Launching her own production company Ustaoğlu Film in 2003, her third film, 'Waiting for the Clouds' (Bulutları Beklerken) premiered in 2014 Berlinale Panorama and was awarded NHK Sundance - International Film-maker's Award. Ustaoğlu's fourth feature, 'Pandora's Box' (Pandora'nın Kutusu) premiered in Toronto (TIFF) and won Golden Shell for the Best Film and Silver Shell for the Best Actress Award in San Sebastian FF. Her fifth feature 'Somewhere in Between' (Araf, 2012) premiered in Orrizonti section in 69th Venice FF, won Best Film Award in Abu Dhabi FF and Split Mediterranean FF, as well as Best Performance in Moscow, Tokyo and Pune Film Festivals. Her latest film 'Clair Obscur' (Tereddüt).

Timeline

2026Aged 66

  • Poster for On the Dry Rock

    Director

2022Aged 62

  • Poster for Dream Workers

    Herself

2019Aged 59

  • Poster for Her First

    Self

  • Poster for The Helix

    Executive Producer

2017Aged 57

  • Poster for Clair Obscur

    Producer

2016Aged 56

  • Poster for Only Blockbusters Left Alive: Monopolizing Film Distribution in Turkey

    Herself

2012Aged 52

  • Poster for Araf/Somewhere in Between

    Writer

2008Aged 48

  • Poster for Pandora's Box

    Writer

2004Aged 44

  • Poster for Life on Their Shoulders

    Director

2003Aged 43

  • Poster for Waiting for the Clouds

    Director

1999Aged 39

  • Poster for Journey to the Sun

    Writer

1994Aged 34

  • Poster for The Trace

    Director

1992Aged 32

  • Poster for Otel

    Director

1990Aged 30

1987Aged 27

Year unknown