Check Out Bessy Adut’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bessy Adut.

Hi Bessy , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
This is your friend Bessy Adut. I was made in Istanbul, Turkey. After studying fine arts, I earned my BA in Film and Television in the Communications Department at Istanbul Bilgi University. I graduated with high honors as the top ranking student in Communications and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to continue my studies abroad. I received my MFA degree in Film Directing from the California Institute of the Arts, specializing in Film and Television directing while also taking acting classes. I later completed the UCLA professional screenwriting program, where I wrote two feature screenplays. Although the MFA is considered a terminal degree, I continue to learn every day, researching and improving myself as an artist.

In my creative work, I have contributed to films, commercials, and documentaries in many roles including Assistant Director, Script Supervisor, and Production Coordinator. My credits can be found on IMDb and Staff Me Up.

As a writer, director, and producer, I have been making films since 2001. From childhood short films, much like Spielberg and Rodriguez described in their biographies, to professional projects, I have written, produced, and directed over twenty films. Many of my later works have been selected for international film festivals and have won awards. Some of my award winning short films include Out of Control, Forbidden Door, Out of Focus, Tolerance, Mutlucu, Strange Little Girl, and Escape Room.

While my main focus was narrative filmmaking, I was also hired to work on several documentary projects, including Mysteries of Cinema for TRT World and The Dissident directed by Academy Award winner Bryan Fogel.

In 2019, I began developing a travel documentary series that blends narrative and documentary styles. This project was in development from 2019 to 2023. In 2023, together with my producing partner Armin Nasseri, I launched a podcast version of the project called Searching for Goodness. We work with a very small core team. In cinematography and photography, I collaborate with Barry McDaniel from New Faces LA. Shania Huffman contributes sound mixing, Carina Lim, a fellow CalArts alum, composed our theme music, and Manny Padilla has also been part of our crew. Through the podcast, we interview people from all walks of life, focusing on themes of goodness, environmental issues, and human stories.

My ultimate goal with this project is to create a seven continent journey, beginning in Antarctica as my feature film debut and continuing as a documentary travel series across the world. After completing four seasons of the podcast, which is available on YouTube and audio platforms, I plan to pursue funding to bring this vision to life.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wish it had been a smooth road, but it hasn’t. I finally found a way to make it smoother by having a steady day job that provides a reliable income while I do what I love in my off hours. On my days off I write my books and film and edit my podcast. David Lynch actually inspired me to take this approach, because when I am stressed about money and feeling depressed I just cannot focus on my art.

While I continue working toward being debt free, I still create and produce within my means, both in time and budget. I am happy with our podcast series Searching for Goodness, and I believe it keeps getting better in terms of both quality and the guests we feature. We have not yet gotten sponsors or a YouTube partnership, so it can still be considered a passion project since we do not make any profit from it yet. That part is difficult.

I also miss working on film sets, but I can no longer manage the instability of the entertainment industry. My next goal is to find the funding to make my first feature film, which I see as the next important step in my journey.
I trust my path and I feel like I am moving in the right direction. I am grateful for everyone supporting me throughout this hero’s journey.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in writing and directing, and recently I have also found myself stepping into producing, sometimes a little bit by necessity. I enjoy being both behind and in front of the camera, since acting has also been a passion of mine. After hosting and directing Mysteries of Cinema for TRT, I gained the confidence to carry that into my YouToo Movement and later into Searching for Goodness.

I am very proud that we are spreading a message of goodness to humanity. We ask deeply philosophical questions and invite people to think about the future of the world, whether it is artificial intelligence, environmental issues, or the love and care people show toward birds and animals. We promote people and their meaningful work, and we do all of this with very limited time and budget, completely independent from any studio or network at this stage. That independence gives us great freedom of speech and expression, which I value deeply.

What sets me apart is my background. I come from both Asia and Europe and now reside in California. I like to use my voice for human rights, animal rights, and environmental rights. I believe in standing up and speaking up for what matters, both through my show and across my social media platforms. I see this as my way of contributing to making the world a better place.

Alongside these projects, I also enjoy writing movie reviews and conducting interviews for the international newspaper Salom.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I want to leave a meaningful mark in the world. I would be very happy to see my efforts come to fruition once we secure the funds to travel the world and spread a message of unity, peace, and love. Even if I do not live to see the utopic world I dream of, I am grateful to be planting the seeds for it. I hope to be remembered as someone who contributed positively, in the spirit of people I admire such as Jane Goodall.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bessyadutofficial.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bessyadutofficial/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bessypage/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bessyadut/
• Twitter: https://x.com/bessyadut/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SearchingForGoodness
• Other: https://bessyadutwrites.com

Image Credits
Hair & Make Up: MUD Make Up: Natalie Langford

Wardrobe: Magnifique Mademoiselle

Photography: New Faces LA/Barry McDaniel

Camera Photo at Mystic Museum: Tim Oliver

Searching for Goodness Crew: Armin Nasseri, Bessy Adut, Barry McDaniel, Shania Huffman, Jason Moor, Carina Lim, Abel Jose Salazar, Freja Novalie