Serkan Aktaş is an award-winning filmmaker, globally recognized for his contributions to the genres of fantasy and science fiction cinema. He holds degrees in Business Administration from Anadolu University and in Mathematics from Dokuz Eylül University. Aktaş honed his filmmaking skills at the Istanbul Cinema Academy, graduating with distinction, and later earned a Master’s and Doctorate in Film and Television from Beykent University.
His notable works include The Librarian (2022), Mirrorty (2017), and Resurrection under the Ocean (2021), all of which have received acclaim at film festivals around the world. Driven by a passion for storytelling, Aktaş believes that “the best movie is one that can be watched over and over again,” and he aims to inspire audiences with the joy and wonder that cinema brings. He is also committed to addressing real-world issues through his films, stating, “I find solutions to the world’s unsolved problems through making movies.”
Interview
- What inspired you to pursue filmmaking/writing as a career, and who or what has been your biggest influence?
Serkan Aktaş: My journey into filmmaking began when I was in my teenage years. I’ve always been passionate about films, spending countless hours watching them, but it wasn’t until I watched Hokkabaz, a Turkish film, with my older brother that I truly understood the power of cinema. That experience opened my eyes to the art of storytelling on the big screen in a way I hadn’t fully grasped before. It sparked something within me, and I made the decision that night to become a filmmaker. Since then, that defining moment has shaped everything I’ve done, guiding me to pursue both writing and directing with a deep desire to evoke the same joy and wonder that cinema brings to me in every film I create.
- How do you approach developing the initial concept for a film?
Serkan Aktaş: My approach to developing the initial concept for a film is deeply rooted in consistency and discipline. I believe in reading every day, watching every day, and writing every day. This daily practice is key to building a strong dramatic structure, which is the foundation of any great story. The more input you take in, the more output you can generate. By absorbing a wide range of ideas, experiences, and styles, you enrich your understanding of the world, which ultimately strengthens your ability to craft a compelling narrative. A strong dramatic structure is crucial because it shapes the story and leads to a splendid script. And with a great script, you’re able to create an amazing film. This process—constantly learning, absorbing, and creating—builds the framework for the cinematic journey I want to take my audience on.
Mirrorty – TEASER:
- What does your typical creative process look like, from idea to execution?
Serkan Aktaş: As I said in my previous answer, my creative process follows a disciplined cycle that revolves around constant input and output. I start by reading every day, watching every day, and writing every day. These daily practices allow me to stay inspired, broaden my perspective, and refine my craft. I believe that the more input you take in, the more output you can create. This continuous flow of ideas and influences helps me shape the core of a film’s concept.
Once I have the initial idea, I focus on constructing a strong dramatic structure, which I believe is the backbone of any great story. I then move into the writing phase, where I pour everything into crafting a solid, compelling script. From there, the project moves into pre-production, where every detail, from casting to locations, is thoughtfully planned to align with the vision.
Execution comes with the filming itself, where I translate everything I’ve envisioned onto the screen. But even then, I never stop learning—each film is an opportunity to refine my process, deepen my understanding, and create something that resonates with the audience. It’s a cycle of constant growth, and it all begins with reading, watching, and writing every day.
- What’s your proudest achievement in your career so far, and what makes it stand out for you?
My proudest achievement so far in my career has undoubtedly been The Librarian. Not only was it my doctorate project at Beykent University, but it also holds deep personal significance to me. Completing this film allowed me to earn my Doctorate in Art, and becoming Dr. Serkan Aktaş is a milestone I’m incredibly proud of. But what makes this project truly stand out is the journey behind it.
Filming The Librarian during the COVID-19 pandemic presented huge challenges. The original plan involved shooting outdoor scenes, but the pandemic meant we couldn’t get permission for any exterior shots. With limited resources and strict health protocols in place, it seemed like a difficult mountain to climb. At times, I even considered postponing or giving up on the project, especially with the uncertainty surrounding everything at the time.
However, rather than giving up, I embraced a guerrilla filmmaking approach. With the support and passion of my team, we adapted, shooting the exterior scenes in a way that followed health protocols. These guerrilla-style shots ended up being some of the most praised parts of the film. The Librarian went on to win over 65 awards and was selected by prestigious film festivals worldwide, which was incredibly rewarding.
In addition to the film’s success, I turned The Librarian into a book and I’m looking forward to exploring the possibility of adapting it into a feature film in the fantasy and sci-fi genres, which are my areas of passion. I must also thank my consultant, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Makal, for his mentorship and guidance throughout the project. His support was invaluable in helping me bring this film to life. To me, The Librarian represents resilience, creativity, and the intellectual approach I strive to bring to every project.
The Librarian – Teaser:
- Are there recurring themes or messages in your work? If so, what draws you to them?
Serkan Aktaş: Yes, there are recurring themes in my work, particularly surrounding the exploration of personal and societal struggles, identity, and the human condition. With my intellectual perspective and filmmaker identity, I strive to find solutions to the world’s unsolved real-world problems or contribute to those solutions through making movies. That’s what I do.
A central theme in many of my films is the search for emotional or psychological freedom. For example, in The Librarian, the sea becomes a powerful metaphor for the protagonist’s internal struggle with identity, unemployment, and the fear of losing his language. This sea represents not just a physical escape, but also the vastness of his emotional landscape, symbolizing the deep need to rise above personal and societal pressures.
In Resurrection under the Ocean, the metaphor of resurrection mirrors the protagonist’s psychological rebirth—rising from emotional depths to find a new sense of purpose and hope. This theme of renewal and transformation is something that resonates deeply with me, as I believe in the power of overcoming deep challenges to emerge stronger.
Similarly, in Mirrorty, I explore the alienation caused by technology. The ‘black mirrors’ of smartphones, computers, and TVs are metaphors for how we are increasingly detached from the real world, becoming isolated in our virtual realities. This theme of disconnection is a reflection of my concerns about the impact of modern technology on our emotional and societal well-being.
What draws me to these recurring themes is the opportunity to examine and question the emotional and psychological aspects of life that often go unnoticed or unspoken. I see my films as a way to address these complexities, offering a lens through which audiences can explore their own experiences and perhaps find solutions or comfort in the shared human struggle.
Resurrection under the Ocean – TEASER:
- What trends in the film industry excite or concern you the most, and how do you see them shaping the future of filmmaking?
Serkan Aktaş: The trend in the film industry that excites me the most is the potential for AI and emerging technologies to democratize filmmaking. As an independent filmmaker, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges of creating a feature film with limited resources and high production costs. I believe AI and other technologies will lower these barriers, making filmmaking more accessible and empowering a new generation of storytellers to bring their visions to life. This is incredibly exciting, as it could lead to more diverse voices and unique stories being told on screen.
However, I do have some concerns about the role of AI, especially in the creative process. While it can certainly assist in many aspects of filmmaking, I worry it could lead to laziness, particularly for writers and directors. As I always say, ‘Read every day, watch every day, write every day, and then make your movie.’ This discipline is vital for honing your craft, and AI could undermine that process by encouraging shortcuts rather than the hard work and dedication required to truly develop a story.
As I’ve also said, ‘There is no bad writer, there is a lazy writer.’ The creative process demands effort, and I fear that relying too much on AI could discourage writers from fully engaging with their own ideas and developing their unique voice. While AI has a place in filmmaking, I believe that the heart of cinema will always lie in the human effort, passion, and discipline that goes into creating something original.
Social Media Contact Addresses
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14575507
https://www.linkedin.com/in/serkan-aktas-a12463260
https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4089513-serkan-aktas
https://filmfreeway.com/SerkanAktas
https://twitter.com/AktashSerkan
https://letterboxd.com/director/serkan-aktas
