ABOUT ME

Hi! I’m Umay Özgül, born on August 23, 2004, in Izmir, Turkey. I studied at Galatasaray, one of Turkey’s oldest and most well-known French schools, from primary school all the way through high school in Istanbul.

During my school years, I spent my summers in England and France, attending language schools and learning about different cultures. I also took university courses in photography and cinematography at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and Kadir Has University in Istanbul.

I’m currently studying Cinema and Audiovisual, with a minor in Theater, at Sorbonne Nouvelle University in France. I first discovered my love for theater when I was twelve, and it’s been a huge part of my life ever since. In high school, I was an active member of the school’s theater club and also performed at the Sadri Alışık Cultural Center.

In my first year of university, I was part of several short films and a music video, playing roles as an extra, actress, and dancer. In my second year, I wrote and directed my first short film, Fabrika Kızı, in Sète, France, and later directed another short film (35 minutes), Pasaport, in Istanbul.

In October 2023, after completing a specialized training, I had the incredible opportunity to join the team at Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) as a Venue Assistant for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. During this experience, I worked as a boom operator for the Olympic volleyball matches and as a camera assistant for the Paralympic boccia games. Additionally, I spent valuable time in the production vans of AMP Visual, where I had the chance to connect with industry professionals and observe their work up close.

These experiences were eye-opening for me. Not only did they deepen my understanding of the world of broadcast production, but they also solidified my passion for pursuing a career in this field.

I’m someone who finds comfort and clarity in putting my emotions and memories into words, constantly writing as a way to process and preserve my experiences. Photography and cinematography, with their ability to capture fleeting moments and tell visual stories, have become natural extensions of this habit. My goal is to blend these passions into meaningful projects where words, images, and emotions all come together seamlessly.

This desire to weave together different forms of expression is what draws me to cinema. It’s a medium that allows me not only to share my own perspective but also to connect with people from all walks of life. I dream of telling stories that transcend language and cultural barriers, of introducing myself to others through the art I create—art that speaks a universal language of human experience. In doing so, I hope to build bridges, spark conversations, and create meaningful connections with audiences across the world.