Özgen Zeybek

Werdegang

Born in Akşehir, Turkey, Özgen Zeybek studied at a Fine Arts High School and later graduated from Dokuz Eylül University's Department of Music in İzmir, Turkey. During her university years, she developed an interest in the performing arts, joining the university’s theater club and appearing in several stage productions. After graduation, she completed a three-year public service assignment as a music teacher in Yüksekova, Hakkari. Following her transfer to Istanbul, she continued her teaching career while devoting considerable time to supporting young people with special needs, particularly autistic students with musical talent. She gave music lessons on a voluntary basis and served as a long-term mentor to these students. By preparing these students for fine arts high schools and conservatories, she enabled them to pass their talent-based entrance examinations. Her persistent efforts and initiatives led to the adoption of landmark decisions by the Council of Higher Education and the Ministry of National Education, thus setting important precedents for overcoming age restrictions and academic examination barriers faced by talented young people with special needs across Turkey. Her work in educational equity and artistic mentorship has been widely covered by national media. Pursuing her interest in cinema and storytelling, Zeybek studied Radio, Television and Cinema at Istanbul University, graduating in 2023. She also completed professional training in dubbing, voice acting and diction, and studied acting under the guidance of Turkish theater and film actress Ayşen İnci. In addition, she composed original music for various projects. During her final year at university, she made her filmmaking debut with 60 Seconds (2023), a short film she wrote, directed, edited, scored and starred in. The film had its world premiere at the 61st Golden Knight Malta International Film Festival and its national premiere at the 30th Adana Golden Boll Film Festival. Her second short film, The Curtain, which she wrote, directed, produced, edited and starred in, received international recognition during its 2026 festival run. The film received the Special Jury Remi Award and the Gold Remi Award at the 59th WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival, an award at the 68th Rochester International Film Festival, and an Honorable Mention at the 11th Ferrara Film Festival in Italy. It was also officially named a semi-finalist at the 44th Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival and a quarter-finalist at the 38th Girona Film Festival in Spain. In addition, the film was officially selected for the Social World Film Festival in Italy, with its selection announced at the Italian Pavilion as part of the 79th Cannes Film Festival. Zeybek currently teaches music at the prestigious Kabataş Erkek High School in Istanbul while continuing her cinematic career as a director, actor, and screenwriter.