An Inspired Chat with Dr. Serkan Aktaş of Istanbul

Dr. Serkan Aktaş shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Serkan, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity, without hesitation.
Intelligence and energy matter, but they can be learned, borrowed, or even faked. Integrity can’t. In creative work and in life, I’ve learned that integrity is what keeps you grounded when things get uncertain, when recognition is slow, or when shortcuts are tempting. It’s the quiet force that allows you to build something lasting—without losing yourself in the process.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Serkan Aktaş, an award-winning filmmaker who blends cinema with mathematics, philosophy, and storytelling. I hold degrees in Mathematics and Business Administration, along with a Master’s and a Doctorate in Film and Television, which shape both how I think and how I create.

My work sits at the intersection of logic and imagination. I use abstract concepts, visual metaphors, and cinematic language to explore human curiosity, uncertainty, and the deeper questions behind existence. For me, cinema is not just about telling stories—it’s a way of understanding the world and creating films that reveal something new each time they are watched.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
What I’m learning to release now is the belief that I have to struggle against my natural way of thinking in order to move forward. I grew up with dyslexia, although I didn’t know it at the time. I was always a daydreamer and struggled in traditional learning environments. I only discovered that I have a strong form of dyslexia three years ago, when I was 33.

One of my primary school teachers once said something that stayed with me: some students understand immediately, while others don’t understand even after hearing something many times—but those students learn perseverance by trying again and again. Those words motivated me for years, even before I understood the real reason behind my struggle.

Through that process, I learned perseverance, patience, and loyalty to my path. Those qualities shaped me and made me stronger. I’m still a daydreamer today—but now I’m a writer and a director. For artists and filmmakers, dyslexia can be a strength rather than a weakness. My favorite director, Steven Spielberg, also has dyslexia, and I believe this way of thinking deeply supports visual storytelling and imagination.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
Watching movies—always. Films made me feel safe, calm, and understood. No matter what I was feeling, cinema created a space where I could relax, imagine, and breathe. Movies weren’t just entertainment for me; they were comfort, escape, and quiet guidance. That’s where my connection to cinema truly began, long before I ever thought of becoming a filmmaker.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to the belief that cinema should be meaningful, not disposable. I believe the best films are the ones you can watch over and over again, each time discovering something new. No matter how long it takes, I’m dedicated to creating stories that explore what it means to be human—stories shaped by curiosity, patience, and visual storytelling rather than trends or shortcuts.

For me, filmmaking is a lifelong practice. As long as I’m able to read, watch, write, and create, I’ll continue making films that aim to leave something lasting behind.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
After graduating in mathematics, I made a clear decision: to dedicate ten years of my life entirely to becoming a filmmaker. I stayed loyal to that promise. During that decade, I completed my master’s and doctorate in Film and Television, read every day, watched films every day, wrote every day, and made many short films. It was a demanding but deeply rewarding period of focused growth.

Today, I’m continuing that same long-term mindset. I’m developing feature film projects—many of which I wrote during those ten years—knowing they require patience, maturity, and the right moment to come to life. I don’t rush the process. I believe meaningful cinema is built slowly, and I’m committed to pursuing my vision as a filmmaker for the long run.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aktashserkan/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serkan-aktas-a12463260/
• Twitter: https://x.com/AktashSerkan
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBTv2OlCkA3KMcz4pqyG-EA
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14575507/

Image Credits
Serkan Aktaş