Biography
Pelin Esmer, writer & director of both fiction and documentary films, studied sociology in Istanbul, and then moved on to cinema. She established her film company Sinefilm and since 2001 she has made her independent films The Collector, The Play, 10 to 11, Watchtower, Something Useful and Queen Lear.
A feature documentary, The Play, made its international premier in San Sebastian Film Festival. It has been screened over 50 festivals around the world and received many awards including "The Best New Documentary Filmmaker Award" in Tribeca Film Festival. Her first fiction 10 to 11 was one of the six chosen projects by Cannes Film Festival's Résidence du Cinéfondation in Paris where she worked on the script. An official selection of San Sebastian Film Festival, 10 to 11 received many awards in various festivals around the world and was released in cinemas in Turkey, France and Germany. Her second fiction Watchtower which was premiered in Toronto and Rotterdam Film Festival has been screened in many countries and five different states of USA as part of the Caravanserai Program. Something Useful received the best screenplay award in Tallinn International Film Festival besides FIPRESCI, best director, best screenplay, best actress awards in Turkey.
Esmer holds a BA in Sociology from Bogazici University, Istanbul (1995).
Born in 1972 in Istanbul, Esmer currently lives and works in Istanbul, Turkey.