Utkan Bugay

Credentials:

BA Visual Arts and Communication Design, Sabancı University / MA Film and TV, İstanbul Bilgi University

Brief Bio:

Utkan was born in Istanbul in 1988. A year later, he moved with his family to his father's hometown, Adana. After 13 years, he got accepted into St Georg Austrian High School and returned to Istanbul. He graduated from Sabancı University Visual Arts and Communication Design department in 2015. During this period, he took part in short film projects. After working as a graphic designer and art director for two years, he decided to continue his career by making films. In 2016, he directed and produced the documentary titled Traditional Plant Wisdom Kapıdağ Peninsula. He graduated from the Film and TV Master's Program at Istanbul Bilgi University in June 2019. The short film he produced, "I Don't Want to Die Today", which was his master's degree project, made it to the finals of the National Short Film Competition at the Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival. He has been working as a screenwriter in the Yazane Creative Writers Team since November 2019. He has been writing/directing/producing commercials and YouTube series since 2021.

Project Abstract:

This project aims to introduce and document the ancient grain plant known as "kurumi" (Setaria italica) in Laz language, which has been orphaned and forgotten among the Laz people living in the Arhavi district of Artvin. The goal is to transform traditional knowledge, experiences, and stories related to kurumi into a documentary. Through this documentary, the awareness of kurumi, a vital part of Laz culture until the 1970s, is intended to be increased. The project also aims to promote, preserve, and revive agricultural and gastronomic knowledge, experiences, and practices related to kurumi.

Website(s): https://productionox.com/

Social Media(s): instagram.com/utkanbugay/