Berkay Ellek, a graduate of the Visual Communication Design Department at Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKÜ) Faculty of Communication and currently pursuing his master’s degree in the same department, will represent Turkey at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, to be held between February 12–18, 2026, with his artificial intelligence-produced fictional film “Sultan’s Stone.”

As part of the festival, the film will be featured at the European Film Market (EFM) and has been selected for the “Turkish Cinema 2026” catalog prepared under the coordination of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Within this scope, the film will be presented to international cinema professionals as part of Turkey’s official cinema showcase. The Turkish Cinema Stand at the EFM will be organized by the Boğaziçi Culture and Arts Foundation.

A Concrete Example of Our University’s Innovative Educational Approach

HKÜ Acting Rector Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan expressed her satisfaction with the achievement, stating: “It is a great source of pride for us that our student, Director Berkay Ellek, has produced a project that will represent both our country and our university on an international platform. Having previously attracted attention with his achievements at the Altın Baklava Film Festival, our student’s participation in this prestigious event in Berlin is a concrete example of our university’s innovative educational approach. This work, which brings together artificial intelligence, design, and cinema, reveals the great potential of our young people.”

I Wanted to Reinterpret History Through Technology

Commenting on his film, Director Berkay Ellek said: “I wanted to reinterpret the theme of mercy, one of the universal values of Ottoman history, through artificial intelligence technology. This story, stretching from Hagia Sophia to the present day, aims to build a bridge between the past and the present. Being selected for the ‘Turkish Cinema 2026’ catalog has been a great source of motivation for me. I would like to thank my professors and my university for their continuous support throughout this process.”

A Story of Mercy from Hagia Sophia to the Present Day

Spanning from the era of Sultan Mehmed II to the present day, “Sultan’s Stone” stands out as an original production that approaches Ottoman history through the lens of modern technology. Centered around a mosaic piece that fell from Hagia Sophia, the story brings together traces of the past and the present, offering viewers a unique narrative experience.