Ferzan Özpetek is a multifaceted Turkish-Italian creative genius, exceling as a director, screenwriter, and writer.
In 1976, Özpetek embarked on a cultural immersion journey, first attending Perugia Foreigners University in Italy to learn the Italian language for a year, and subsequently transferring to Rome La Sapienza University to pursue a degree in cinema.
Following his academic tenure, he delved into the world of art history, costume design, and theater direction by enrolling in Accademia Navona and Accademia d'Arte Dramatica schools, where he had the privilege of learning from the esteemed Silvio D'Amico.
During this period, Özpetek collaborated with the renowned director Julien Beck on the European tour of The Living Teather, a testament to his versatility and adaptability.
In 1982, he began his extensive career as an assistant director, working alongside esteemed filmmakers such as Massimo Troisi, Maurizio Ponzi, Ricky Tognazzi, Lamberto Bava, Francesco Nuti, Sergio Citti, Giovanni Veronesi, and Marco Risi, amassing nearly 15 years of experience in the industry.
His remarkable talent did not go unnoticed, as American pop sensation Madonna hailed him as "a genius" in an interview, while John Travolta and Andy Garcia expressed their admiration for his 2009 film, Serseri Mayinlar, at the Los Angeles Film Festival.
Özpetek's illustrious career continued to flourish, as he served as the president of the jury at the 42nd Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival in 2005, alongside a committee comprising actors Hülya Kocyigit, Zuhal Olcay, Aytac Arman, Kenan Isik, and director Nuri Bilge Ceylan.
Furthermore, in 2007, Özpetek was honored to serve as a jury member at the prestigious 75th Venice Film Festival, solidifying his position as a respected and accomplished figure in the world of cinema.
