Feature Film Competition Jury

Ömer Faruk Sorak

Türkiye

Üye Feature Film Competition

Born in Ankara in 1964, Ömer Faruk Sorak graduated from Ankara University’s School of Press and Broadcasting in 1986. He worked as a cameraman at TRT between 1987 and 1995. After pursuing a career in cinematography and directing, he founded Böcek Films & Entertainment in 1997. Sorak has directed and produced numerous notable productions across different genres of Turkish cinema, including Vizontele, G.O.R.A., Sınav, Yahşi Batı, Love Just a Coincidences (Aşk Tesadüfleri Sever), 8 Seconds (8 Saniye) and Bandırma Füze Kulübü. In addition to feature films and television series, he has directed numerous commercials and music videos. Throughout his career, spanning several decades, he has continued to work across cinema, advertising and music. FILMOGRAPHY Feature Films 2000 – Vizontele 2002 – Aşk ve Gurur 2003 – G.O.R.A. 2006 – Sınav 2009 – Yahşi Batı 2011 – Aşk Tesadüfleri Sever 2015 – 8 Saniye 2019 – Yüzleşme 2020 – Aşk Tesadüfleri Sever 2 2022 – Bandırma Füze Kulübü 2022 – Kendi Yolumda 2025 – Başka Bir Sen 2026 – D.I.S.C.O. 2026 – Ben Sana İnanıyorum 2026 – Aşk Tesadüfleri Sever 3 Television Series 1993 – Ferhunde Hanımlar 2021 – Hükümsüz (Exxen) 2024 – Tertemiz (Exxen)

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Aktan Arym Kubat

Kırgızistan

Üye Feature Film Competition

Born in 1957 in Kyrgyzstan, he is a film director and one of the leading figures of contemporary Kyrgyz cinema. Between 1976 and 1980, he studied at the Kyrgyz State School of Arts. In 1981, he began his film career as a set decorator and production designer at Kyrgyzfilm Studio, named after Tölömüş Okeev. In 1997, he founded the independent film studio Beshkempir, and since 2004, he has served as Art Director of the Oy Art Production Company. He has played an active role in public and professional initiatives aimed at developing Kyrgyz cinema and was among the initiators of the strategic program “Kyrgyz Cinematography – 2010.” Directing Credits: 1998 - Beshkempir; winner of the Silver Leopard Award at the Locarno Film Festival. 2001 - Maimyl (The Monkey); screened in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival. 2010 - Svet-Ake (The Light Thief); selected for the Directors’ Fortnight section of the Cannes Film Festival. 2011 - Apam Üçün Beyiş (Heaven for My Mother). 2016 - Centaur; recipient of the CICAE Award at the Berlin International Film Festival. 2022 - Esimde (Shambala); world premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival. He is a member of the European Film Academy and the Asia Pacific Screen Academy. He holds the title of People’s Artist of the Kyrgyz Republic, is a recipient of the Toktogul State Prize, the Order of Manas (Second and Third Class), the Knight of the French Order of Arts and Letters, and the TÜRKSOY Gold Medal for his contributions to the cinema of the Turkic world.

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Ayub Shakhobiddinov

Özbekistan

Üye Feature Film Competition

Uzbek film director. Born on 26 May 1977 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, he graduated from the Uzbekistan State Institute of Arts and Culture in 1999. He began his professional career as a television director at the National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan. He later studied at the Higher Courses for Scriptwriters and Film Directors in Moscow, where he attended master classes led by Sergey Solovyov and Vladimir Rubinchik. Upon returning to Uzbekistan, he continued his directing career at Uzbekfilm, one of the country's leading film studios. His directorial debut, A Tulip in the Snow (2003), won the Grand Prix at the Creative Flight International Festival and was screened out of competition at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2004. His filmography also includes: Misfortune (2005) The Yurt (2007) Crazy (2008) Delayed Life (2010) Parizod (2012) Tourist (2013) Artist (2016) Colorless Dreams (2020) His films have been screened at numerous film festivals in Uzbekistan and abroad. The Yurt and Parizod received awards at various international film festivals. Colorless Dreams earned recognition at both international and national film events, including awards for Best Screenplay and Best Director.

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Sahysalyh Bayramov

Türkmenistan

Üye Feature Film Competition

Sahysalyh Bayramov — a renowned Turkmen film director, actor and cultural figure, serving as Deputy Chairman for Creative Affairs of the "Turkmenfilm" Association named after Oguz Khan. Main Activities and Achievements Directing: Directed the well-known feature film "The Tree of Destiny" (Daragt, 2023), as well as film projects such as the legends cycle "The Bank of Jayhun" (2026). Acting: Began his acting career in the Soviet era, appearing in 1988 in the film "Ogul" (The Son) at the "Turkmenfilm" studio in the role of Batyr. International activity: Represents Turkmen cinema at various international festivals and forums (including the International Forum of United Cultures in St. Petersburg, the "Korkut Ata" festival, and the "Turan" International Film Festival in Izmir in October 2026), and has been recognized with special awards by TÜRKSOY.

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Baurzhan Shukenov

Kazakistan

Üye Feature Film Competition

Baurzhan Shukenov (Kazakhstan) is a Kazakh film industry expert and the Chairman of the Expert Council of the State Center for Support of National Cinema. Over the years, he has held senior positions within the State Center for Support of National Cinema, where he has overseen the development of Kazakhstan’s film industry and the implementation of state-supported film projects. He possesses extensive experience in film distribution, film administration, and the organization of international cultural projects. He is a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) of the French Republic, an honor awarded in recognition of his significant contributions to cultural cooperation between Kazakhstan and France, the promotion of French cinema in Kazakhstan, and his support for auteur cinema.

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Elçin Musaoğlu

Azerbaycan

Üye Feature Film Competition

Born in 1966 in Baku, he studied Theatre Directing at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts and continued his education in Moscow under the mentorship of the renowned director Mark Zakharov. Throughout his career, he has directed more than 80 documentary and fiction films. His debut feature film, The 40th Door (40. Kapı), won the Golden Remi Award for Best Foreign Film at the Houston International Film Festival in 2009. Nabat (2014) was selected for competition in the Orizzonti section of the 71st Venice International Film Festival and went on to receive numerous awards at international film festivals. The screenplay of Maryam was honored at TRT 12 Punto in 2021. A member of the European Film Academy, he has served as a juror at various international film festivals. In 2016, he was awarded the honorary title of Honored Art Worker of the Republic of Azerbaijan in recognition of his contributions to the arts and cinema.

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