Biography

Cigdem Vitrinel is a Turkish filmmaker, screenwriter, and writer known for her distinctive storytelling that blends cinematic depth with social critique.

She made her directorial debut with What Remains (2011), which won her the Best Director Award at the 48th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival. Her second feature, But Muzeyyen That's the Deepest Desire (2014), further established her as a filmmaker with a unique voice, earning critical acclaim and the Best Cinematography Award at the 51st International Antalya Film Festival.

Beyond filmmaking, Vitrinel has actively engaged in writing, focusing on cinema, literature, and gender issues. She explores themes of feminism, women's labor, and the role of women in the workforce, sharing her work on her website and her Instagram account.

Since April 2023, she has been a Board Member of the Film Directors Association, where she plays an active role in advocating for the industry. In recent years, she has dedicated more time to personal writing projects while continuing to develop new cinematic works.

She is working on her upcoming feature film, What Is To Be Done?, which has been in the development stage for the past two years.
- IMDb mini biography by: Sebnem Vitrinel

I don't like to make harsh statements when it comes to real life and the human soul. Yes, now that I'm older, I understand the value of a good relationship better and I work harder to protect and take care of it. But I still find the debates about monogamy or polygamy, marriage or celibacy, freedom or commitment ridiculous. Because a person may want to experience all of these alternatives. In different periods or at the same time.