06 October 2026
“From Darkness to Blue” Becomes a Finalist at the IGU International Media and Short Film Festival
“From Darkness to Blue,” a graduation project produced and directed by Ahmet Tevhid Kuzu, a graduate of Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU), Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), Department of Radio, Television and Cinema, has been selected as a finalist in the Documentary category of the IGU International Media and Short Film Festival.
The 2026 documentary tells the story of a woman and a group of nature volunteers who strive, through their own sacrifices, to heal the severe damage caused by humanity to nature and who engage in a demanding, unpredictable, and continuous struggle to protect sea turtles. The project brings environmental responsibility, volunteerism, and the relationship between humans and nature into focus through the expressive possibilities of documentary cinema.
The struggle to protect sea turtles takes center stage
“From Darkness to Blue” focuses on the life cycle of sea turtles and the efforts of volunteers working to protect them. The documentary does not merely present the effects of human-induced environmental destruction as a problem; it also seeks to convey the dedication of those working in the field to reduce these impacts.
The film approaches the physical and emotional challenges faced by nature volunteers, the unexpected conditions they encounter, and the ongoing nature of their struggle through an observational perspective. In this way, it moves environmental issues beyond an abstract discussion and grounds them in everyday labor, sacrifice, and responsibility.
The film approaches the physical and emotional challenges faced by nature volunteers, the unexpected conditions they encounter, and the ongoing nature of their struggle through an observational perspective. In this way, it moves environmental issues beyond an abstract discussion and grounds them in everyday labor, sacrifice, and responsibility.
The graduation project entered the festival selection
Developed as a graduation project within the Department of Radio, Television and Cinema, the film was supervised by Asst. Prof. Emre Doğan.
In addition to serving as the film’s producer and director, Ahmet Tevhid Kuzu also worked on editing, sound design and mixing, post-production, poster and trailer design, translation, and subtitling. Serkan Tosun served as director of photography, while Esra Bozoklu worked as assistant director. The camera crew included Furkan Murat, Serkan Tosun, Ahmet Tevhid Kuzu, Yasin Çayan, and Esra Bozoklu. Furkan Murat worked as the drone operator, while the underwater footage was shot by Furkan Murat and Ahmet Tevhid Kuzu. Yasin Çayan was responsible for lighting and sound operation. Color grading was carried out by Oğuzhan Koçak and Ahmet Tevhid Kuzu, while Serkan Tosun served as the post-production assistant.
In addition to serving as the film’s producer and director, Ahmet Tevhid Kuzu also worked on editing, sound design and mixing, post-production, poster and trailer design, translation, and subtitling. Serkan Tosun served as director of photography, while Esra Bozoklu worked as assistant director. The camera crew included Furkan Murat, Serkan Tosun, Ahmet Tevhid Kuzu, Yasin Çayan, and Esra Bozoklu. Furkan Murat worked as the drone operator, while the underwater footage was shot by Furkan Murat and Ahmet Tevhid Kuzu. Yasin Çayan was responsible for lighting and sound operation. Color grading was carried out by Oğuzhan Koçak and Ahmet Tevhid Kuzu, while Serkan Tosun served as the post-production assistant.
Finalist in the Documentary category
Selected as a finalist in the Documentary category of the IGU International Media and Short Film Festival, “From Darkness to Blue” has carried its journey from a graduation project to a festival selection.
The film’s selection as a finalist is significant in demonstrating how creative projects developed during students’ academic years can continue their journey after graduation and reach audiences through film festivals. At the same time, the documentary contributes to increasing the visibility of environmental awareness, volunteerism, and nature conservation through documentary cinema.
We congratulate our graduate Ahmet Tevhid Kuzu and everyone who contributed to the project, and wish “From Darkness to Blue” continued success throughout its festival journey.
The film’s selection as a finalist is significant in demonstrating how creative projects developed during students’ academic years can continue their journey after graduation and reach audiences through film festivals. At the same time, the documentary contributes to increasing the visibility of environmental awareness, volunteerism, and nature conservation through documentary cinema.
We congratulate our graduate Ahmet Tevhid Kuzu and everyone who contributed to the project, and wish “From Darkness to Blue” continued success throughout its festival journey.