4th International Digital Film Festival Istanbul Comes to Özyeğin University

The Communication Design Department at Özyeğin University hosted the Academic Partner Program held as part of the 4th International Digital Film Festival Istanbul. Organized by the Digital Film Academy, the festival took place on October 19 at the Prof. Orhan Hacıhasanoğlu Auditorium on the Özyeğin University Çekmeköy Campus.

The program opened with the talk “From Celluloid to Digital: Transformation of the Cinema & TV Industry,” featuring screenwriter and lecturer Hüseyin Kuzu and moderated by Dr. İnci Asal, Research Assistant at Özyeğin University.” The discussion explored the changes spurred by digitalization in the the film and television industries. The session was followed by screenings of six short films from the United States, the United Kingdom, Iran, and Türkiye, showcasing a broad range of forms, from animation, fiction, and documentary to experimental and AI-assisted cinema.

The final session featured director Erdem Tepegöz in the talk “Audience, Story and Creative Decision in the Age of Digital Platforms,” moderated by Assistant Prof. Metin Çavuş from Özyeğin University. The discussion examined how digital platforms are transforming cinematic storytelling, audience habits, and creative processes. By showcasing films from around the world and drawing on the insights and experiences of industry professionals, the program offered a closer look at the world of cinema and the creative possibilities of the digital age.