Berlin/Istanbul based writer/director/actress. Derya Durmaz was born in Germany and raised in Turkey. She has a BA in Economics, LLM in Human Rights Law and has studied acting. Her award-winning short films were shown at over 150 festivals worldwide, including the Berlinale, as well as various experimental film events and exhibitions. Her first short film ZIAZAN participated in over 55 international festivals, won 11 awards and received full coverage in the Washington Post and the Monocle magazine.

She is alumna of IFFR Rotterdam CREATORS LAB, Toronto TIFF FILMMAKER LAB, BERLINALE TALENTS and FI GLOBAL MEDIA MAKERS Program.