2017 Workshop

In 2017 a pilot workshop was organized four youngsters (ages 13-17) with diverse backgrounds. During the workshop the participants produced a film entitled The Unseen / Näkymättömät that conveyed their experiences of coming to and living in Finland, which communicated their difficulties as well as what they love about Finland. For their film, they conducted street interviews that concerned their issues about education and friendship. The final screening of the participant’s film was at Famila Ry and it was filled with families and friends of the participants. Later, Familia Ry screened the film at several other occasions.

2020-21 Project

The 2020-21 term of the workshop was again supported by the Uusimaa Regional Fund, Finnish Cultural Foundation. 9 participants were selected for the workshop. We started the workshop in September 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic we had to conduct the workshop partly remotely–until it was possible to meet with the participants in outdoor settings. To make the online meetings a bit more fun and informative,we also invited famous names from the Turkish cinema/TV industry to join our meetings. The participants produced three films, which you can watch below.

Kaikkialta/Her Yerden/From Everywhere

Two bicultural and bilingual high school students, Filiz and Julia, figure out where in the world they belong.

Neden/Miksi/Why?

On their way to meet each other, three youngsters encounter behaviors that they do not understand, and ask “why?”. When they meet, they start questioning their own behavior.

Anla(ma)mak/(not) Understanding

The film, which is about 3 young people who want to be understood in a reversed world, brings to light things that are “normalized” by society but should not be normal. It deals with (not) understanding and the difficulties it brings.

2020-21 Corona Days Documentary Project

Although the 2019 Project ended in February 2020, the youngsters who participated in the workshop wanted to continue their activities, because they were stuck at home most of the time and they were extremely bored and disturbed. We were happy to work with them and organized an online meeting on 20 March, where we decided to shoot a documentary of their days during the pandemic.

We finished the project in March 2021. The final title of the documentary is “As coronavirus grew, I grew up too” (“Koronavirüs büyüdü, ben de büyüdüm”, “Koronaviruksen kasvaessa, minäkin kasvoin”). The film is in Turkish, Finnish and English (with subtitles) and was screened at Caisa Helsinki in 2021.

As coronavirus grew, I grew up too

2021-2022 Project

The Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Uusimaa Regional Fund supported the organization of the 2021-22 term of the workshop. The screening of the participant’s films was at Caisa Helsinki on 28 May 2022. Participants made three films. You can watch them below.

Arada / In Between

This is a film tells about how a youngster is influenced by the separation of her parents. This is based on a true story. One important aspect of the film is that the actors who play the mother and the father are the real mother and father of the script writer and director of the film.

Nasıl bir gelecek? / Millainen tulevaisuus?

This is a documentary film about the expectations of high school students from life.

Nasrettin Hoca bir gün “stop motion”da… / One day Nasrettin Hodja, in stop motion…

This is a stop motion produced by the youngest participants of our workshop. In Turkish literature there is a tradition of parables: humorous short stories that include a moral or life lessons about life. Writers are commonly anonymous. Only one is well known: Nasrettin Hodja. It is said that he was born in 1208, but it is not clear whether such a person really lived despite some evidence that he did. Nevertheless, his parables are still with us. This short stop-motion tells one of his stories.

2023 Summer Project

In 2023 a summer project was organized with support from the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Culture and Tourism-Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities. Titled “Film Workshop from Finland to Turkey: Two Cultures, One Film,” the project involved six alumni of the Film Workshop for Turkish Speaking Youth. Running from April to October 2023, the workshop offered an immersive experience in filmmaking and cultural exploration.
From April to June 2023, participants crafted the story and script, and finished filming the scenes that take part in Helsinki. June saw additional filming in Antalya, with post-production wrapping up between August and October 2023. The film, “Orange Blossom / Appelsiinikukka,” premiered on October 28, 2023, at Helsingin Medialukio, facilitated by a student participant who liaised with the school’s principal and teachers to secure the venue.
“Orange Blossom / Appelsiinikukka” narrates the journey of a bicultural (Turkish-Finnish) young woman from Finland. Accepted for an internship at a hotel in Antalya, Turkey—a place she barely remembers visiting as a baby—she navigates her unfamiliar surroundings without knowledge of Turkish. Through her experiences, she connects deeply with the local culture, history, and people, transforming her initial reluctance into cherished memories and bonds.

This project was not only a creative endeavor but also a significant personal milestone for the young participants. It marked their first trip to Turkey without family, diverging from the usual summer visits to their ancestral villages. Instead, they explored new places, stayed at a hotel with peers, visited historical sites, and exercised independence. The film they produced reflects their authentic stories, making the project’s success especially meaningful.

The trust placed in me by the participants’ parents was paramount, and witnessing the joy of both the youths and their families at the project’s conclusion was immensely gratifying.

You can watch the film with Finnish subtitles below:

Portakal Çiçeği / Appelsiinikukka