Balahan Gürel
About
Screenwriter/Director/Producer
Balahan Gürel is a filmmaker based in Istanbul, born to a family with a background in theatre, jazz, and literature. He graduated with distinction from Toronto Film School’s Writing for Film&TV program. Worked in the regie department of several productions including Venice Critics Week winner Ghosts. He is a fellow of Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival's Script Pool, Istanbul Film Festival's Meetings on the Bridge, and a semifinalist for the Sundance Development Track.
His short films have screened at film festivals from Girona to New York including Oscar® qualifying festivals while starring artists such as Ekin Koç, Ceren Gündoğdu and Kerem Arslanoğlu, among others.
He produces films with a Turkish production company Federal which focuses on international co-productions&sales.
Films
His films explore stories of love, family, and human nature; with intimate and crafted performances, story, and form at the core of his filmmaking approach.
This Is It, The Apocalypse (Financing)
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Sci-FiSelected Development Markets: Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Ankara Film FestivalLogline: As the world comes to an end, an alienated ex-con encounters a young woman in the Aegean town of Izmir. When she asks for his help to return home, the two strangers catapult into an odyssey and wind up spending a day together which turns out to be their last.
Ayşegül On Tuesdays (Completed)
Genre: Short, DramaWorld Premiere: TBARole: ProducerProduction Countries: USA, TürkiyeLogline: The story of a Turkish immigrant seeking a connection in a lonely midwest USA life who feels misled by the version of the American Dream that was sold to her.
The Big Flight (2021)
Genre: Short, Romance, MusicNational Premiere: Izmir International Short Film Festival (Oscar® qualifying)Role: Screenwriter, Director, ProducerLogline: While navigating their careers in different countries, two lonely souls fall in love without knowing each other.
Love, Death and Tomatoes (2020)
Genre: Short, ComedyNational Premiere: Izmir International Short Film Festival (Oscar® qualifying)Role: Screenwriter, Director, ProducerLogline: A dying man and his wife decide to commit suicide together in a diner.
Contact
e-mail: balahangurel@gmail.com