Ayse is a filmmaker from Istanbul. She received a BFA in Film from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and an MA from the New School. Films that are intimate and political, manage to break prejudices or breach hitherto taboo subjects are her favorite medium, as well as personal and professional ambition. After working as an inhouse producer/direc... Read More

Ayse is a filmmaker from Istanbul. She received a BFA in Film from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and an MA from the New School. Films that are intimate and political, manage to break prejudices or breach hitherto taboo subjects are her favorite medium, as well as personal and professional ambition. After working as an inhouse producer/director for Al Jazeera for 8 years in London, Doha and Istanbul, she directed her first documentary entitled Mr. Gay Syria. A co-production between France, Germany and Turkey, the film was supported by Sundance in production, attended over 100 film festivals including IDFA, Sheffield DocFest, MOMA Fortnight, Movies That Matter, and won 15 awards including the Human Rights Award from Sarajevo IFF and the Silver Hugo from Chicago IFF. Her second feature My Name is Happy, commissioned by Channel 4 and ARTE, launched at IDFA in 2022, won six international awards to this day as well as an impact grant, and has been traveling the festival circuit. Her third feature, Dear Friend, a co-production between Turkey,Germany and Norway, funded by Catapult(US) in development, and German and Norwegian funds in production, is in post production.  Read Less