08 October 2026
Lecturer Ahmet Bikiç’s two documentaries screened at the Almamora Film Festival
Lecturer Ahmet Bikiç, a faculty member in the Department of Visual Communication Design (VCD) at Istanbul Gelisim University’s (IGU) Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), has achieved significant international success with two documentary projects he directed. His films, titled "Babylon Documentary" and "Scent of the Island Documentary," were featured in the special selection of the prestigious Almamora Film Festival in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where they were presented to international cinema enthusiasts and academics. While both productions garnered attention for their unique narratives centered on history, culture, nature, and sustainability, they also made significant contributions to Istanbul Gelisim University’s visibility and representation on international artistic platforms.
Ancient Babylonian heritage and international academic collaboration
Realized through a collaboration between Istanbul Gelisim University and Hilla University in Iraq, the "Babylon Documentary" brings the cultural heritage of the ancient region of Babylon—one of the oldest centers of settlement and civilization in human history—to the screen. Prepared under the shared vision of these two established educational institutions, the film documents Mesopotamia’s historical depth, architectural and cultural legacy, and the sustainable living practices that have endured in the region for centuries, all conveyed through a universal cinematic language. The special screening at the Almamora Film Festival was highly acclaimed for introducing Babylon’s rich historical memory to an international audience. Gökçeada’s Nature and the Story of Harmony Between Humans and Nature
"Ada Kokusu" (Scent of the Island)—another work by Ahmet Bikiç featured at the festival—turns its focus to Gökçeada, Turkey’s largest island. The film centers on the island’s pristine nature, rich biodiversity, ecological balance, and the harmonious, balanced relationship the local community maintains with the environment. Prompting a re-examination of modern humanity's connection to nature, the production moves the concept of sustainability beyond abstract rhetoric, showcasing it instead as a natural part of daily life on the island. The documentary, which drew significant interest from audiences during its screening in Abu Dhabi, provided a platform to introduce a local ecosystem and culture to a global audience.
Artistic works gain global recognition
Artistic and academic projects conducted within the Istanbul Gelisim University Faculty of Fine Arts continue to bring local values to the international stage by blending them with sustainability-focused themes. Lecturer Ahmet Bikiç’s success—bringing both historical and ecological heritage to the screen with two works selected for the festival in the UAE—has once again demonstrated the university’s commitment to art and global academic collaboration.
As the Istanbul Gelisim University Faculty of Fine Arts, we congratulate our faculty member, Lecturer Ahmet Bikiç, for proudly representing our faculty at the Almamora Film Festival in Abu Dhabi with the "Babil" and "Ada Kokusu" documentary projects, and we wish him continued international success.