Your project has entered our festival. What is your project about?  

——Our project, titled Echo, is a captivating fantasy-mystery-action pilot episode set across Rome, Miami, and St. Augustine, blending historical elements with supernatural intrigue. Echo is a tale of reincarnation, ancient magic, and the struggle between good and evil, all intertwined with rich cultural history and vibrant settings.

The pilot episode begins in the 1550s, just before the Spanish invasion of St. Augustine. A Timucua shaman, foreseeing the destruction of his people, performs a powerful spell, encapsulating his powers within a medallion and scattering the spirits of his people into future generations. A young girl named Ela, present during the ritual, shares the shaman's tragic fate.Centuries later, in modern-day St. Augustine, a young man named Luis discovers the medallion buried in the sand. Seeking answers, he consults Esmeralda, a psychic who reactivates the medallion, setting off a chain of mysterious events. Simultaneously, in Rome, Deniz, a painter, begins experiencing vivid dreams connected to the medallion and a girl named Ela. Her life takes a mystical turn as she uncovers her ancestral connection to the Timucua spirits. Deniz is eventually drawn to Miami, where her path crosses with Luis at an art exhibition. As the medallion's powers awaken within her, she faces threats from treasure hunters and discovers the medallion's abilities, including bewitchment, omens, war magic, and love charms. Just as she begins to understand her destiny, Luis reveals his true intentions, setting the stage for a gripping battle over the medallion's immense power.

What are your ambitions with your project?

—-Our ambition with this project is to expand it and create a whole anthological tv series about extinct populations in the world adding a fantasy element to every episode such as the medallion. Our goal is to collaborate with talented creatives, production companies and distributors to bring this world to life through exceptional cinematography, art direction, and special effects, making each episode a memorable experience for the audience. Another ambition of mine is making our tv series heard internationally, as Denis Villeneuve says "Cinema is an art form that is designed to go across borders". Even with this interview, I feel we are on the right track.

Tell us something about your shooting. What pleasantly surprised you?

——It was very nice that our esteemed director Livia Oya Proto and some of her team came to Miami after the first part of the movie shot in Rome, and they got along very well with the American team in both Miami and St. Augustine. Along with the director Livia Oya Proto came to Miami her assistant director Eleonora Tezzelle and camera operator Marianna Bregni and thanks to... Dear Nazan Aktan, the founder of Act Contemporary; It was a great experience to get the necessary permissions from Red Dot during Miami Art Week and to do some of the shooting at Red Dot Miami during Art Week. Another pleasant surprise was in a role we had problems with; We changed actors and (Esmeralda) discovered the acting talent of our make-up artist, Sage Kirk. As for the music, it was a pleasant surprise that Fiona Campell was the daughter of Ren Campell from our team. Additionally, Miami Dade's support before the shooting was very motivating. It was also impressive that our lead actress Zeynep Hande Yazıcı played two roles (an Indigenous girl and painter Deniz). It is a great experience to be in an international production such as American and Italian. We have a lot to learn from each other. I want to thank everyone here again.

For what group of spectators is your film targeted?  

—-Our audience target is focused on teenagers, young adults and who are open to new cultures. Echo targets viewers who are drawn to immersive and multi-layered storytelling, particularly those who enjoy the intersection of history, fantasy, mystery, and action. The show appeals to an audience that appreciates Historical Fiction; The pilot's setting in the 1550s, with the Spanish invasion of St. Augustine, draws in viewers who appreciate historical dramas. The rich cultural history, including the portrayal of the Timucua shaman and the ancient rituals, provides a unique backdrop that differentiates Echo from typical fantasy series. Mystery and Thriller Fans; The show's premise, involving a centuries-old mystery connected to a powerful artifact, targets fans of mystery and thriller genres. The suspenseful elements, such as Luis's hidden motives and Deniz's dreams that connect her to the past, create a narrative filled with intrigue and tension. Culturally Rich Narratives: The series targets viewers interested in diverse cultural settings and stories that span different time periods and locations. By weaving together the histories and cultures of Rome, Miami, and St. Augustine, Echo provides a global narrative that resonates with a wide audience.

Why should distributors buy your film?  

——Distributors should consider purchasing Echo because it offers a unique and compelling combination of elements such as Genre-Blending Appeal combining fantasy, mystery, and action, making it versatile and attractive to fans across multiple genres. The Cultural and Historical Depth in which the series taps into growing viewer interest in culturally rich and historically grounded stories. This depth can attract partnerships with educational and streaming platforms and increase its appeal in international markets. The Strong Visual and Cinematic Potential with visually stunning settings and sequences that showcase the beauty of historical and modern locations. The picturesque landscapes of Rome, the vibrant energy of Miami, and the mystical aura of St. Augustine, combined with high-quality production values, make Echo a visually captivating experience. Distributors who invest in Echo are not just buying a series, but a potential long-term franchise with multiple revenue streams.

How would you specify your work? What characterizes your film?

——Echo is characterized by its innovative fusion of history and fantasy, its richly developed characters, and it's visually dynamic storytelling. The film employs a visually immersive style that integrates historical settings with magical realism. One of the most important themes that characterizes Echo is Reincarnation and Destiny in which explores the concept of reincarnation and the idea that past actions and decisions shape the present and future. The medallion symbolizes this connection across generations. The narrative structure is very dynamic and has a character- driven plot, the central characters, Deniz and Luis, are deeply developed and face significant personal and external conflicts. Deniz, a painter experiencing mystical dreams, and Luis, a seeker of the medallion's secrets, are both driven by their connections to the past and their quest for self-discovery. The art direction characterizes Echo; The visual style includes detailed period costumes, set designs, and special effects that bring the historical and supernatural aspects of the story to life. The use of color, light, and shadow plays a significant role in establishing the mood and atmosphere.

Why did you decide to become a filmmaker?

—-" Echo" is the second film that I have produced. When I think about it now, I can say that life brought me to this role. I am a project person and when good ideas come my way, if I feel that passion, I find myself in it. If the project is good, I'll be there. If my role is to create the project, I do it.

Who is your role model?

Picasso! Probably because I am a painter and an artist, the first thing that comes to my mind is Picasso's character, who was not afraid to try innovations, and I am not afraid at all. It always inspires me and I tell myself, "If Picasso can do it, I can do it too."

Which movies are your favorites? Why?  

The Lord of the Rings, Outlander, and Harry Potter have always been my favorite movies... They have always fueled hope because they offer a different worldview and are serial.

Where do you look for inspiration for your films?  

I have it from the needs in life. I can analyze it because I was an artist before producing. People need hope very much right now. I can feel it. I can hear Echo.

Which topics interest you the most?

——-As I mentioned above; The topics vary according to the needs of the majority. My first movie was shot during the Covid period, people could not meet their families. That's why we shot a warm family and neighborly relations comedy. Currently; Echo is longing for a superhero needed all over the world, which was the factor in the creation of this movie. We expanded the perspective of the film by shooting American and Italian productions. Our multi-award-winning director Livia Oya Proto and LP Production undertook the Italian side of the film. In America, ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWS became our main sponsor. My next film may be an animation. A project on this subject may be created at any time...

What do you consider your greatest achievement in your career?  

——-I am a multidisciplinary art connector. When I think about my past; I would like to be active in many fields of art, to be able to start them, to create big and beautiful projects, even in different countries and continents, and to be accepted. Our film Echo is still a great success story. The fact that talented people from countries where American, Indigeneous, Italian, and Turkish are the majority, believe in the project and coming together is a success story. If it weren't for that, we wouldn't be able to do this interview for the "Cannes Film Festival Awards" today, right?

What do you consider most important about filming?  

——I think the most important thing about filmmaking is having fun! Seeing yourself as part of the movie and your role as the filmmaker, that's so exciting! Another important things is to collaborate with your crew members as a family .

Which film technique of shooting do you consider the best?

——-Personally, there is no single best technique for shooting a film, it depends a lot on the project itself. In every movie new technique can be created, cinematography is beautiful because it is free to experiment. For example, to shoot Echo we used many wide shots with a 16mm lens to give a sense of distance and external observation. We preferred long takes for the running scenes to build tension and real time immersion. Our camera operator Marianna Bregni, to create a sense of mystery and past times used Black Promist filters, which gave a great style to the movie. The innovative technique which Marianna Bregni brought is in the teletransportation scene of the medallion using Lens whacking, as to create a parallel dimension. Some scenes in the cinematography were inspired by Caravaggio painting lighting and some scenes from Ari Aster movie Midsommar. There are many high angle shots with the Drone and low angle shots in the shamanic ceremony scene. It's important not to get lost in that chaos and techniques while trying to finish the movie .

How would you rate/What is your opinion about current filmmaking?

——I think that the current level of filmmaking is extraordinary. There are so many filmmakers from so many countries with so many stories to be told, that it is so good to see and hear the new voices.

What can disappoint you in a movie?

——-The thing that disappoints me most in a movie is that these are balloon films shot for commercial purposes. Only famous and popular names come together, and where uncreative subjects are discussed. I wish well-known digital media were more selective because the audience feels like a fool!

Who supports you in your film career?

My biggest supporters are my beloved family, I owe them a debt of gratitude. And ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER, as the main sponsor of our film, enabled us to create a beautiful project. I would like to thank our director Livia Oya Proto, dear Nazan Aktan, Cem Adali, İbrahim Guldiken, and Emre Orun for their support in creating the film. Endless thanks to everyone whose names I did not write, but who kept the team spirit alive.