Turkish Asylum Seekers Debut Films and Ignite Discussion at the Stateless Film Festival

Acting Out Awareness is hosting a unique opportunity to hear Turkish asylum seekers living in Chicago tell their stories at the Stateless Film Festival: Stories from Turkish Freedom Seekers on Monday, March 18 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at The Davis Theater, 4614 N. Lincoln Ave. This one-night-only event features four world-premiere short films depicting specific stories of Turkish citizens fleeing the country under persecution by the government. Several of the filmmakers have relocated to Chicago. The shorts are followed by a panel discussion with two of the creative forces behind the films. Admission is $10 with proceeds benefiting Huddled Masses, a Turkish refugee advocacy organization. Tickets at www.actingoutawareness.org.

"These films offer a snapshot into the lives of those fleeing Turkey who have settled in our community," said Andrea Sutherland, Artistic Partnership Director of Acting Out Awareness. "Having the filmmakers at this event is a unique opportunity to hear more about the harrowing circumstances that forced people to leave their homes. We hope the audience comes away with a deeper awareness and understanding of the loss, fear, and hope asylum seekers have for the future of Turkey."

The four world-premiere films presented are; "Story of Gokhan", "The Story of Maden Family", "The Story of Adem Korkut" and "Dictators Don't Die". Each film was inspired by real events during recent political turmoil in Turkey, where thousands have been arrested and imprisoned under false charges and many have fled to ensure their family's safety.

Immediately following the screening is an intimate conversation with Onur Tekman, writer of "Story of Gokhan" and "The Story of Maden Family", and Jonah Smart, creative director of "The Story of Gokhan". Acting Out Awareness plans to present these films to college and universities in 2019 to further educate students about the struggles happening in Turkey.

Tekman (Director and Screenwriter) was born in Istanbul, Turkey in 1984. He fled Turkey for the United States in 2016. For over 15 years, he has directed short movies, animations and documentaries in Turkey and the U.S.. Tekman also writes scripts for stage and screen.

Smart (Creative Director) is an award-winning creative director, marketing strategist, brand architect and artist. His work was selected by Obama's White House to be an ambassador of cultural alliances between Turkey and the U.S. He is involved in a variety of projects with charity organizations since he arrived in the U.S. in 1999.

Acting Out Awareness presents the Stateless Film Festival: Stories from Turkish Freedom Seekers on Monday, March 18 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at The Davis Theater, 4614 N. Lincoln Ave. The shorts are followed by a panel discussion with two of the creative forces behind the films. Admission is $10 with proceeds benefiting Huddled Masses, a Turkish refugee advocacy organization. Tickets at www.actingoutawareness.org

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