Biography

A graduate of Hacettepe University Conservatory of Performing Arts Theatre Department, Aclan Bates later received an MA in Directing for Theatre and another in Theatre Education. He was a leading actor and director for the Turkish National Theatre in Ankara, directing Jean Paul Sartre's "Flies" and Bertolt Brecht's "The Good Person of Szechuan." After looking at the world through the lens of a camera, he decided that directing film could be far more exciting than working on the stage. To that end, Aclan came to California and completed an MFA in Film Directing at American Film Institute. He went on to win Best Short at the Ankara International Film Festival with his thesis film, "Condemned." The Turkish National Theatre then invited him to direct their entry to the Black Sea Coast International Theatre Festival. Aclan undertook the full musical production of George Orwell's "Animal Farm," receiving critical acclaim and an invitation to open the fall theatre season with the production at Ankara's Grand Theatre. His production of Kafka's "The Trial" at Write Act Repertory received rave reviews in Los Angeles, a daring and unique project. Aclan directed the first Turkish film, Broken Angel (Melegin Sirlari), in Los Angeles Holywood.
- IMDb mini biography by: lesliebates@msn.com

AFI graduate Aclan Bates is an accomplished American film director, who divides his time between Los Angeles, California and Istanbul via various projects including an acting school and playhouse. Aclan has been developing an incubator platform within the Performing Arts sector for emerging and established startups and entrepreneurs who work both in front of or behind the camera within the entertainment industry including film, television, screenwriting, theatre, dance, and music. The incubator will be based in London and will serve startups from throughout Europe and the United States while serving as a bridge between Hollywood and London. Aclan Bates has an extensive stage and theater background, all of which provide the perfect backdrop for this new and exciting project.
- IMDb mini biography by: Press Film

Turkish National Theater

Filmstar Performing Arts Center