Pelin Esmer

Director | Writer

Date of birth : No data

City of birth : İstanbul, Türkiye

“The language of documentary, in contrast to the language of film, requires the filmmaker to enter other people’s lives—their hopes and fears, loves and hates—and then resurrect them on the screen. The challenge is both engrossing and often intoxicating. While it lasts, it can consume every waking moment.” Pelin Esmer, writer and director of both fiction and documentary films, initially studied sociology before turning to cinema. In 2001, she founded her production company, Sinefilm, to produce her independent films. Her most notable works include The Collector, The Play, 10 to 11, and Watchtower, all created in collaboration with her producer friends Nida Karabol, Tolga Esmer, and Dilde Mahalli, as well as international co-producers. Esmer’s work is deeply socially engaged, offering a strong political perspective while portraying complex human stories in a genuine yet subtle way. Her films have been screened at over 50 festivals worldwide and have earned numerous accolades. These include the Best New Documentary Filmmaker award at the Tribeca Film Festival, the Cannes Film Festival’s Résidence du Cinéfondation in Paris, and the Best New Director Award at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, presented by jury president Abbas Kiarostami.