The short film “Kısmet” filmed under Eastern Mediterranean University’s (EMU) sponsorship and directed by EMU Faculty of Communication, Department of Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design doctorate student Doğuş Özokutan and Faculty of Communication doctorate student Vasvi Çiftcioğlu has been accepted to the 71st world famous Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Corner. Since 2004, the Short Film Corner has been open to festival guests and accredited sector representatives. “Kısmet” is the first and only Turkish Cypriot made short film to be accepted in this anthology. From the 14th to the 19th of May, the Short Film Corner of the Cannes Festival will allow producers and distributors from all over the world to come together and watch the films.
An Impossible Will
Kısmet’s script was written by Doğuş Özokutan. The films leads are Deniz Çakır, Osman Ateş and Mehmet Kumser. The director of cinematography is Pieter Verburg and its editing was carried out by Tim Klok. The short film portrays a dad whose will that asks for him to be cremated leaves his wife and son with an impossible mission. The visual effects of the film were handled by EMU Department of Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design Vice Chair Fırat Tüzünkan whilst its poster design was carried out by Department of Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design Chair Senih Çavuşoğlu. Hüseyin Özinal was responsible for costume and set design. Mertcan Kıranda and Çağıl İşgüzar were in charge of music.
Their First Film Participated in Oscar Nominations
Doğuş Özokutan and Vasvi Çiftcioğlu’s first short film “Olağan Denemeler” which was shot completely through their own means won three international awards; two from America and one from Brazil. Olağan Denemeler which was screened at 41 international film festivals in 23 different countries is the first and only Turkish Cypriot made film to participate in Oscar nominations.
