Umut Aral, a renowned multi-screen storyteller and accomplished director, emerged onto the scene in 1976, hailing from the vibrant city of Istanbul. As a global citizen, boasting a richly diverse and multilingual heritage, he has had the privilege of navigating complex multinational and cultural environments, effortlessly assuming leadership roles to manage teams of varying linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Throughout his illustrious career, Aral has demonstrated his exceptional aptitude for forging strategic partnerships, fostering collaborative relationships, and successfully bridging the gaps between nations and continents.
Aral's remarkable career has been characterized by a relentless pursuit of innovation, with a profound ability to traverse and transcend the boundaries of various visual mediums. His extensive and diverse repertoire of creative endeavors has encompassed a wide range of formats, including feature films, documentaries, television commercials, music videos, television series, viral videos, flash mobs, interactive videos, and even 360-degree and hologram videos.
Aral's initial foray into the world of short filmmaking culminated in the creation of "Otuzdört / Thirtyfour" in 1999, a cinematic endeavor that garnered widespread acclaim and numerous accolades within the realm of national film festivals, subsequently propelling his work onto the global stage, where it received its first international recognition.
Fast-forwarding to 2005, Aral's subsequent short film, "Carpisma / Crash," emerged as a testament to his multifaceted talents, as he not only directed the film but also assumed the roles of producer and writer. This ambitious project went on to secure thirteen prestigious national and international awards, thereby solidifying his reputation as a formidable force within the cinematic community. The film's impressive haul of accolades was further augmented by its inclusion in some of the most esteemed film festivals worldwide, including the Locarno International Film Festival, the Raindance Film Festival, the Asiana Short Film Festival, and the International Short Film Festival in Drama.
Since the dawn of the 21st century, Aral has been at the helm of a remarkably prolific career, directing an astonishing 250 plus national and international television commercials, each one a testament to his unwavering dedication to his craft.
Throughout his illustrious career, Aral has been distinguished by his cinematic flair, bringing a unique and captivating visual style to every project he undertakes. His ability to form strong, collaborative partnerships with high-profile celebrities has been a hallmark of his work, resulting in a body of work that is both visually stunning and deeply engaging.
As one of the top talented leading directors in the commercial world, Aral has won numerous awards and accolades, with his work being screened and celebrated around the globe. His impressive client roster includes some of the world's most recognizable and respected brands, such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mercedes Benz, McDonald's, Nivea, Vodafone, Unilever, Nestle, Henkel, Emaar, Diageo, QNB, Nutricia, and beIn, among many others.
Aral's foray into the realm of digital filmmaking was marked by his direction of an episode of the 7YüzTV Anthology Series for BluTV in 2017, captivating audiences with a gripping narrative within the inaugural digital platform TV series in Turkey. This milestone endeavor served as a precursor to his subsequent projects, which would go on to further cement his reputation as a visionary filmmaker. In 2018, Aral's creative endeavors continued to push the boundaries of innovation, as he collaborated with Netflix to develop the first Netflix Original Series in Turkey, "The Protector". Additionally, he worked on the groundbreaking "Iyi Oyun / Good Game", the world's first E-sports movie, which was slated for release by the end of the year.
Throughout the extensive trajectory of his professional endeavors, he has concurrently assumed the roles of a seasoned speaker and educator, attracting widespread recognition as a sought-after guest speaker, with invitations pouring in from prominent global organizations such as the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO) and esteemed universities, where he has had the privilege of leading engaging workshops on the art and craft of filmmaking, sharing his expertise and insights with participants from diverse backgrounds.
