About Us

Altyazı Cinema Association

Altyazı Cinema Association believes that a free cinema culture plays a significant role in enriching public discourse and strengthening democratic practice through fundamental principles such as freedom of expression, the right to representation, and critical thinking. In contemporary Turkey where independent film criticism and publishing have weakened to the point of extinction, Altyazı continues to produce original, diverse, high-quality content and make it accessible for film audiences. It works to expand dialogue and collaboration between the film industry and civil society. It raises awareness about practices that restrict freedom of expression and the right to representation at all stages of film culture –from production to distribution and exhibition– while actively advocating against rights violations.

Furthermore, it carries out activities aimed at ensuring that creators facing economic or political risks can access resources and exhibition opportunities, and at building solidarity networks among independent actors within the film industry. 

The Association aims to contribute to the development of a democratic, pluralistic, and libertarian discourse within the field of culture and arts, with a primary focus on cinema. In line with this objective, it implements initiatives that support independent filmmakers. It also conducts publishing activities that provide audiences engaged in cinema with access to high-quality, reliable information and criticism. Furthermore, it promotes cinema literacy and critical thinking through educational initiatives such as seminars, panels, and screening programs. Altyazı supports communication within the industry, providing a platform for filmmakers facing political and/or economic risks. It develops awareness-raising, solidarity-based strategies to address rights violations in the industry and promotes the use of image production as an effective tool in defending freedom of expression and representation rights through activities that connect cinema and civil society.

Our Activities

Film Culture Program: Between 2001 and 2023, Altyazı Cinema Magazine published close to 200 print issues, 6 special issues, and 23 e-magazines. Today, the Association continues to focus on film criticism and film culture through www.altyazi.net. As part of its film culture program, the Association produces occasional print publications and organizes various events; including screenings, panels, and film discussions in collaboration with various stakeholders.

Education Program: With the goal of promoting cinema literacy, Altyazı Cinema Association runs online and in-person seminar programs on various aspects of film culture. Since 2020, the association has hosted 58 online and 20 in-person seminars. Over 2,000 people have participated in these seminars. As part of Altyazı’s “Pay-it-forward Seminar” that aims to provide educational support to students in need, 169 students participated in our seminars free of charge. We continue to work on organizing 6 new seminars in the Fall-Winter 2024 program and providing students with free access to seminars under the Suspended Seminar program.

Independent Cinema and Civil Space Program: Altyazı Fasikül is a platform established by the Altyazı Cinema Association to expand the space for freedom of expression in cinema. It operates in fields that include publishing, video production, and film screenings. Under the umbrella of Altyazı Fasikül, the platform operates in the fields of publishing, video production, and screenings. The association continues its publishing and advocacy activities focusing on freedom of expression in cinema, gender equality, and raising awareness of rights violations. Altyazı also produces the Altyazı Fasikül Video Series, which aims to support independent film/video/documentary creators and foster innovative forms of video storytelling in the field of advocacy.

Between 2020 and 2026, the European Endowment for Democracy (EED), CultureCIVIC, Support for Rights, the Civil Society Support Foundation, the Civil Society Empowerment Center Together and Hrant Dink Foundation

Altyazı Fasikül has produced three video series to date: “Looking Outside” (2020), “From Below” (2022), and “Seen Unseen” (2024). A total of 33 directors have been supported and 27 short videos/documentaries have been produced. Altyazı Fasikül series and the shorts featured in them continue to meet audiences at various festivals, events, and online platforms both domestically and internationally.

Altyazı Cinema Association

Board Members

Ayça Çiftçi, Özlem Saadet Işıl Güç, Berke Göl, Senem Aytaç, Fırat Yücel

General Coordinator 

Özlem Saadet Işıl Güç ([email protected])

Administrative Coordinator 

Gülşah Kızılkaya ([email protected])