A conversation with TCFF founder Gökhan Gökçay on cinema, courage, and building bridges between cultures…
This time, in our “Inspiring People” feature at ARTTMODERNMIAMI, we are delighted to welcome Gökhan Gökçay, the founder of the Miami Turkish Film Festival and Festival Director of TCFF Miami.
Our paths crossed through a shared passion for bringing Turkish cinema to international audiences. This connection, sparked by our enthusiasm for cinema, inspired us to explore the personal story behind the festival.
We came together to get to know Gökhan Gökçay more closely, to discuss how this initiative came to life, and to explore his dreams and aspirations for the future.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: Mr. Gökçay, welcome. Could you briefly tell us about yourself?
Gökhan Gökçay: Thank you for having me. I was born in Istanbul, and today I live in the United States. Cinema has been a part of my life since childhood. My mother worked as a makeup artist in film and television, and I grew up on sets alongside her. Later, I began making short films with my friends and working on small projects and productions. Having been a filmmaker who submitted his own films to festivals, I now contribute to helping other filmmakers connect with audiences. I am the founder and festival director of TCFF Miami, and I work to bring Turkish cinema to a wider audience here.
Gökhan GOKCAY
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: A festival begins in someone’s mind long before the curtain rises. What was the defining moment in your story when you said, “I absolutely have to do this”?
Gökhan Gökçay: During the time I was making films as an amateur, I used to submit my short films to numerous festivals. I know how valuable it is for a film to reach an audience, especially for a filmmaker at the beginning of their journey.
In the United States, you see different cultures organizing their own film festivals. There are events dedicated to Turkish cinema in Los Angeles, and there have been initiatives in Miami in the past as well. However, I felt that Miami lacked a recurring gathering that could provide continuity. Miami has a strong Latin community, and their interest in Turkish television series and films made me see this as a significant opportunity. We also have a wonderful Turkish community here. I began to wonder, “Why not bring Turkish cinema to more people in this city?” That is how the idea of the festival came about.
Gökhan Gökçay with his son at the first TCFF Miami event, October 25, 2026, Movies of Delray, Delray Beach.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: Let us begin with your relationship with cinema. What scene from your childhood or youth should we know in order to understand what you do today?
Gökhan Gökçay: My mother worked as a makeup artist in the film and television industry. Since she was the only person I had, I would go to work with her whenever I did not have school. As a result, almost my entire childhood was spent on film sets. Sometimes I would find myself on top of a lighting rig, sometimes beside the director, and sometimes right in the middle of a scene. Of course, because I was a child, everyone would go out of their way to accommodate me a little.
My mother also worked in the studios where Çarkıfelek was filmed at the time. The son of the studio manager and I would sneak into the studio and explore everything. We even managed to break the mechanism while playing with the wheel! There was also Hakan, the Jimmy Jib operator. He would put me on that long camera crane and lift me into the air. I had so much fun. For me, film sets were not just places where my mother worked; they were places where I grew up and played.
I grew up so deeply immersed in the inner workings of the industry that starting to work in it happened quite naturally. My circle of friends was also formed around that world. We began by making short films and small projects, driven by the excitement of saying, “Come on, let’s shoot something together.” Then one friend would say, “I’m an assistant on this set; come and help me,” or another friend and I would support a film made by someone in our circle. Little by little, I found myself becoming part of the industry.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: While creating a space for Turkish cinema in Miami, what absence did you feel most strongly? Was this also a gathering place you personally needed?
Gökhan Gökçay: The gap I felt was the absence of a space where Turkish cinema could regularly meet its audience here. As Turks living in this city, we have a wonderful community where we can come together. I wanted cinema to become another way of bringing that community together. Having grown up with cinema, I personally needed such a gathering as well.
I also believe there is great value in being able to watch films in the same theater with people from different cultures in Miami. I wanted to create an environment where we could share our own culture while meeting new people.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: Miami is a city where different languages and cultures coexist. What kind of emotional connection do you think Turkish cinema can establish here, particularly with audiences who have never been familiar with Turkey?
Gökhan Gökçay: I believe the first connection is established through the emotions of the characters. Family, love, longing, separation, and the desire to belong somewhere are themes in which people from different cultures can find something of themselves.
I also find the interest Latin audiences in Miami have shown in Turkish television series and films particularly valuable in this regard. There is already a curiosity that exists. Through the festival, we want to bring that curiosity into the cinema and nurture it with different stories.
Someone who has never been familiar with Turkey can still understand what a character is experiencing and form an emotional connection with them. Afterwards, they may also become curious about the culture from which that story originates.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: How do you balance the desire to introduce a culture with the responsibility of giving space to its difficult and uncomfortable stories? Which facets of Turkey do you want your festival to reveal?
Gökhan Gökçay: When creating a platform for Turkish cinema, I do not envision a program consisting of one-dimensional stories. Life contains joy, conflict, and issues that can make people uncomfortable. It is only natural for all of these to find their place in cinema.
What matters to me is what a film tells us and how effectively it communicates that message to the audience. I would like to see different voices and different lives representing Turkey. Understanding a culture also requires understanding its people and the experiences they go through.
For this reason, I believe that film selections should be based on the film’s own narrative and its merit within the category in which it is submitted.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: What convinces you most when selecting a film? A technically flawless production, or a story that has something to say despite all its imperfections? Could you share an example that has challenged this preference?
Gökhan Gökçay: When evaluating a film, I believe the most important consideration is the criteria of the category in which it has been submitted. My responsibility is to conduct the preliminary evaluation of films for festival participation and grant initial approval. The competition evaluations, however, are carried out by our jury.
Every film has its own distinctive qualities. I have seen films that, despite technical shortcomings, tell beautiful stories or address important issues in a compelling way. On the other hand, I have also seen films that were not particularly strong in terms of screenplay but delivered successful results through their cinematography and technical execution.
Without naming a specific film, I can offer these two situations as examples. When evaluating a film, you need to consider what it has achieved in its particular field. Personally, though, what affects me most is the story itself and how effectively its emotional essence reaches the audience.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: What was the most challenging decision you faced behind the scenes of the festival? What principle did you refuse to compromise when making that decision?
Gökhan Gökçay: To be honest, the most challenging aspect for me was dealing with human relationships. You set out to create a cultural project together, but sometimes personal expectations can get in the way of that shared purpose. I met with many people while putting together the jury and organizing team. Some of the expectations I encountered during these conversations left me both disappointed and exhausted.
I covered the festival’s financial burden out of my own pocket. There was a very modest admission fee for screenings, but the revenue was nowhere near enough to cover the organization’s expenses. We also spoke with many people about sponsorship. Many made promises, but only a few truly stood by us.
Nevertheless, from the very beginning, I had told myself: “Whether I have a sponsor or not, I will make this festival happen.” What I refused to give up on was bringing this gathering to life. In the end, we formed a cohesive team and successfully realized the festival.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: In cultural initiatives, everyone may applaud an idea, but the picture can change when it comes to offering actual support. In your experience, what turns an audience member, an institution, or a sponsor into a genuine partner on the journey?
Gökhan Gökçay: In my experience, what makes the difference is standing by one’s word. Many people liked the idea and said they would support it, but when it came time to make it happen, only a handful remained by our side.
That is why I do not measure support solely by encouraging words. Trust is built when someone genuinely takes responsibility and follows through on what they have promised. True partnerships emerge with people who understand how much effort a project like this requires and are willing to contribute to that effort.
Regardless of names or individuals, that is what I value most.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: How do you measure the success of a film festival? Beyond attendance numbers and awards, what kind of outcome makes you say, “This is exactly why we did it”?
Gökhan Gökçay: For me, success means being able to conduct fair evaluations and make the local film audience happy. I believe that is exactly what we achieved at our first festival.
Bringing approximately 130 people together was certainly very meaningful. However, it was equally important to organize an event that honored the filmmakers’ efforts and allowed the audience to enjoy the experience.
I look at the quality of the festival before its size. That was the most valuable outcome of our first event for me.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: Gaining visibility for an independent filmmaker is important, but their journey continues long after the screening. How do you hope the festival will create a lasting impact on the lives of the selected films and their creators?
Gökhan Gökçay: First and foremost, I want this festival to become an institution whose selections are trusted and whose reputation in the film industry is respected. One of the most valuable contributions we can make to a filmmaker is to ensure that they know their film has undergone an independent and fair evaluation.
We were extremely careful when forming the jury. We brought together five individuals who did not know one another and who came from different fields, including education, production, directing, art, and cinematography.
We did not consider any individual to be above the rules or indispensable. We established strict guidelines regarding relationships between jury members and the films being evaluated, as well as the people who created those films.
Our goal was to build a trustworthy and impartial structure that genuinely recognizes merit and gives deserving filmmakers the credit they deserve. Establishing this kind of reputation is the greatest contribution we can offer our participants.
We also have a community called Turkish Cinema Community. Through this community, we plan to organize workshops, film nights, and various other cinema-related events. We want our relationship with filmmakers and audiences to continue throughout the year rather than being limited to a single day.
At the TCFF Miami event: The Consul General of Türkiye in Miami, together with festival team members Roysi Rubin, Aslı Egelierler, and Gökhan Gökçay — October 25, 2026
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: Was there an audience reaction or encounter during the festival that caught you off guard? What did it teach you about the power of cinema?
Gökhan Gökçay: I would like to answer this question not through the words of a single individual, but through the gathering that took place that day.
On October 25, approximately 130 people came together at Movies of Delray to watch the films. The films, the venue, and the program that you work so hard to prepare become an event with a real audience on that day.
FTAA, Florida Turkish Amerikan Association
That is what I believe deserves attention. Cinema enables people from different backgrounds to experience the same story together. Having created an event that made the audience here happy is something I find deeply valuable, and it is what motivates me to want this gathering to continue.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: When we speak of an inspiring person, we often focus on achievements. Is there a failure or a moment of wanting to give up in your journey that still influences your decisions today? What enabled you to keep going?
Gökhan Gökçay: During the preparation process for the festival, there were moments when I thought, “I wish I could do this entirely on my own,” or even, “I wish I had never started.”
You become exhausted, especially when it is difficult to find common ground with people and the financial burden of the project rests on your shoulders as well. I do not want to hide that. Bringing a project to life does not mean that you maintain the same enthusiasm throughout the entire process.
What kept me going was the decision I had made at the very beginning: I was going to make this festival happen.
In the end, we formed a cohesive team and accomplished what we had set out to do. This experience once again showed me how important it is to share the same purpose with the people you work alongside.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: Starting a cultural initiative and sustaining it for years involve different responsibilities. What foundations do you believe must be established to create a festival that can continue independently of you?
Gökhan Gökçay: I believe that a festival needs a structure that operates beyond individuals and is governed by clear rules. When forming the jury, we did not consider anyone indispensable; independence and impartiality were our guiding principles.
Even as people change, the evaluation process must remain trustworthy.
I also want the workshops, film nights, and other events we are planning through Turkish Cinema Community to contribute to this continuity. It is important to build a community that remains active throughout the year around the festival.
What I envision is an initiative that people trust and sustain together.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: Imagine that we are conducting this interview again five years from now. What tangible development would make you say, “This is the impact I had envisioned”?
Gökhan Gökçay: Actually, I would like to see us in the same place again. Because, in the most meaningful sense, our first festival was already where I wanted it to be: we conducted fair evaluations and organized an event that made the local film audience happy.
Five years from now, I would like to have preserved that same philosophy.
The festival may grow and reach more films and more people. For our second event in April 2027, we are planning a program that will include feature-length films and extend over several days.
But for me, the real success would be being able to say, with the same confidence five years from now, “We are doing fair work, and our audience leaves here happy.”
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: Who can participate in your festival? Must a film be shot exclusively in Turkey, or is it sufficient for one member of the production team to be Turkish?
Gökhan Gökçay: Initially, we envisioned a festival exclusively for films from Turkey. However, being part of a platform such as FilmFreeway, where filmmakers from all over the world submit their work, encouraged us to reconsider that framework.
Our first festival also included an Indian film, so we evaluated certain rules with flexibility.
For this reason, I do not define participation solely by whether a film was shot in Turkey or whether a Turkish person is part of the production team. While keeping Turkish cinema at the heart of the festival, we also want to create space for international projects.
I believe it is important that our submission criteria clearly reflect this approach.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: Are you considering adding an international category as well?
Gökhan Gökçay: Yes. I believe the time has come for us to open ourselves up more to the world and to make a contribution to world cinema through a Turkish perspective.
We want to include stories from filmmakers in different countries and build relationships with them. Of course, Turkish films will always hold a special place in our festival; this is a Turkish cinema festival.
We want to preserve that identity while also incorporating international projects into our program.
Gökhan Gökçay, at the first TCFF Miami event in a movie theater, October 25, 2026, Movies of Delray.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: Finally, based on your own experiences, what would you say to someone who wants to bring their own idea to life but has not yet taken the first step? What was the sentence you needed to hear at the beginning of your journey?
Gökhan Gökçay: “You are as free as your courage.”
That is exactly what I want to say.
When I started this festival, not all the necessary resources were in place. I decided to go ahead with it whether I had a sponsor or not.
There were moments when I struggled and even regretted having started, but in the end, we brought people together in that theater.
If I had never taken the first step, the festival would still be nothing more than an idea in my mind.
ARTTMODERNMIAMI NEWSPAPER: We sincerely thank Gökhan Gökçay for sharing his inspiring journey and vision with us. We wish him continued success and many more achievements in bringing Turkish cinema to international audiences.
