Welcome to Bedirhan Sezer

Meet Bedirhan Sezer: Director and Actor

Bedirhan Sezer is a versatile artist who has bridged the worlds of stage and screen, carrying his creative practice from Turkey to the international arena. Born and raised in Zeytinburnu, Istanbul, Sezer began his artistic journey with formal theater training at the Zeytinburnu Cultural Center Conservatory during his high school years. This early step marked the beginning of a lifelong pursuit of understanding the human spirit, the soul of society, and the universal power of storytelling.

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He later pursued academic studies in Radio and Television Programming at Gelişim University, Photography and Camerawork at Anadolu University, and Drama and Acting at Istanbul Aydın University. This multidisciplinary background allowed him to cultivate a strong visual and narrative language, both in front of and behind the camera.

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Physical Theater & Expressive Movement

A cornerstone of Sezer’s artistic vision is his mastery of physical theater. He has not only trained extensively in this field—working with respected theater figures in Turkey such as Mehmet Birkiye and Yiğit Sertdemir—but has also led over 14 workshops, sharing his knowledge with new generations of performers. Today, he continues to offer physical theater workshops in New York and New Jersey, expanding his influence to the U.S. stage.

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His productions with İlk Sanat Tiyatro, the company he founded in 2018, such as Alt Tarafı Ölüm? and Barba Kuş, explore the limits of physical storytelling. Barba Kuş, a movement-based theater piece, received wide acclaim and was performed to full houses in over 25 shows.

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On Camera and Behind the Lens

Sezer has appeared in numerous television series and commercial films, recognized for his emotionally grounded, physically expressive performances. His command of subtlety and presence makes him a dynamic actor across genres.

As a filmmaker, Sezer’s works have garnered national and international awards. His films focus on human stories, cultural identity, and emotional truth.
   •    Kalbimiz Çanakkale (2015) – A special film for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign, screened in Turkey and at a special event in New Jersey.
   •    654 Gram (2022) – Winner of the Best Film Award at the 9th Balkan Panorama Film Festival.
   •    Bir Şey Yap Güzel Olsun (2017) – First Prize, ESDER Golden Shutter Short Film Competition.

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In Progress: Karagöz’s Journey to America

Currently in production, Karagöz’ün Amerika Yolculuğu (Karagöz’s Journey to America) is a cultural documentary-film that reinterprets the traditional Turkish shadow puppet character Karagöz through the lens of modern American life. The film reflects Sezer’s deep respect for cultural heritage and his commitment to connecting the past with contemporary identity through art.

International Training & Narrative Technique

Bedirhan Sezer is not only a practitioner but also a scholar of storytelling. He studied under Robert McKee, participating in the renowned “GENRE” seminar, which deepened his understanding of dramatic structure, narrative forms, and genre theory. This knowledge enhances his writing and directing with layered meaning and emotional depth.

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Artistic Vision

“For me, art is a bridge—between past and present, between body and mind, between the individual and society.
In every story I tell, I pursue both a personal and collective memory. Whether on stage, in front of the camera, or through a documentary, I’m always in search of truth.

Art is not only an expression, but also a responsibility, a transmission, and a journey. And on this journey, every stage and every frame is a form of prayer.