​Ümit Ünal
Film Director, Writer, Artist
Photo: Barış Çebin
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Born in 1965 in Turkey, Ümit Ünal is the scriptwriter for eight feature films including Teyzem (My Aunt, 1986), Hayallerim, Askim ve Sen (My Dreams, My Love and You, 1987). ​
His first feature film as a director, 9 (Dokuz, 2001) won many awards in various film festivals and was the Official Turkish Entry for the 2003 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
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He wrote and directed nine feature films including Istanbul Tales (Anlat Ä°stanbul, 2004), Ara (2007), Shadowless (Gölgesizler, 2008). The Voice (Ses, 2010), The Pomegranate (Nar, 2011). Serial Cook (Sofra Sırları, 2017). His latest film is Love, Spells and All That (AÅŸk, Büyü vs) which won many awards including Audience Award in Inside Out Toronto, Best Scrrenplay in Outfest LA, Best Film in Mostra Fire Barcelona, Best Narrative Film in aGliff/ Prism in 2021 and Best Film in Istanbul Film Festival and KAV Foundation The Director of The Year Award in 2020.
He has published five books: A collection of short stories, three novels and an autobiography.
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As an artist/illustrator his credits include two personal exhibitions and four illustrated books.
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He currently works and lives in Glasgow since 2020.
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