Ilker Çatak, a multifaceted Turkish-German director, embarked on his life's journey on January 11, 1984, in the vibrant city of Berlin, Germany. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a fascinating story, one that would unfold against the backdrop of the culturally rich and diverse landscape of Germany and Turkey.
As he navigated the early years of his life, Ilker found himself drawn to the bustling metropolis of Istanbul, where he would spend his formative years and complete his high school education. This period would prove to be a transformative experience, one that would shape his artistic vision and lay the foundation for his future endeavors as a director.
Ilker's academic odyssey led him to the culturally rich and historically significant cities of Berlin and Hamburg, where he embarked on a journey to pursue his fervent passion for film direction at the esteemed Hamburg Media School.
As he delved deeper into his studies, Ilker's dedication and perseverance paid off, and he successfully graduated in the year 2014 with a prestigious degree in Film Directing. His remarkable graduation film, SADAKAT, which showcased his exceptional talent and creativity, went on to garner numerous international accolades, a testament to his hard work and dedication.
The culmination of his hard work and dedication was the Student Academy Award in Gold, which he received in the year 2015, a shining beacon of his success and a testament to his unwavering commitment to his craft.
Ilker's cinematic feature film debut, a notable milestone in his creative journey, made its theatrical release in the year 2017 and showcases his remarkable storytelling abilities through an adaptation of the highly acclaimed and widely praised youth novel "Es war einmal Indianerland" penned by the renowned German author Nils Mohl.
Ilker's sophomore feature film, a cinematic masterpiece titled "I WAS, I AM, I WILL BE", made its grand premiere in the year 2019, garnering widespread acclaim and ultimately taking home the esteemed Bronze Lola at the prestigious German Film Awards.
Following the success of his second feature film, Ilker went on to craft another thought-provoking cinematic experience, "STAMBUL GARDEN", which was subsequently released in Germany during the autumn of 2021. This critically acclaimed film also received the honor of being selected at the renowned German Film Awards, further solidifying Ilker's reputation as a talented and innovative filmmaker.
Ilker has expanded his repertoire beyond feature films by taking the helm of an episode of the highly acclaimed television series TATORT. Furthermore, his most recent venture, THE TEACHERS' LOUNGE, is slated to make its global debut at the 73rd Berlin Film Festival in 2023 and is poised to hit the big screens in May of the same year.
