Kemal Yildirim

Kemal Yildirim is an award winning independent filmmaker nominated to become an Ambassador of Northampton due to his filmmaking contribution. Most recently Kemal is in production of his latest drama feature 'Malady' as male lead actor and co-producer. Kemal is in development of numerous feature projects both as Director/Producer & Actor Previous accolades include completing drama feature 'Rose' based on a true story earlier this year. This independently funded feature was originally a short film screened at Cannes 2009 where it received a special mention, followed by screenings in Manchester and Northampton. The short film sparked media attention and interest from investors which pushed Kemal to develop "Rose" into a feature film with Daphne de Maurier award winning writer Steve Loveless. "Rose" the feature film is now circuiting the festival scene with credits; an Official Selection at the London Independent Film Festival 2012 and an Official Award Winner of the 2012 Amsterdam Film Festival Van Gogh Cinematic Vision Award. 2012 has also seen an international distribution deal for action/drama film "Shades of a Killer" with Maxim Media, released in March 2012. This is Kemal's second feature film with an international release, the first being "Tales of the Dead" released late 2010 by Chemical Burn Entertainment. Edgar Allen Poe inspired horror short "The Raven" premiered at the Picturedrome Northampton 27th March 2011, the film was then quickly selected to screen at the Loch Ness Film Festival 2011 and at the End of the Pier International Film Festival 2011 where the film was awarded Best Horror Short 2011. Experimental short "Flicker" was Kemal's first hand at the genre awarded Best Experimental Short Film at The End of The Pier International Film Festival 2009, followed by screenings at The Film Lab Northampton, Eat My Shorts Film Festival run by The Gate Films, production company of the year 2007/2008/2009 (The Drum Magazine), and Cinematopia @ Life at the Lancashire International Film Festival 2010. The controversial drama short "Less is More" was screened at FrightFest and awarded one of the Top Ten Films in Zone Horror's Short Film Competition 'The Cut' in 2008, it was also selected as ZoneHorror CUT! film of the day on 14th Jan'09 and officially selected and screened at the UK Cypriot Film Festival 2009 and "British Shorts" 4th Lichtspielklub Kurzfilmfestival 2011. In 2008 Kemal was headhunted by international horror magazine Gorezone to co-produce/co-direct a horror mini TV series, "End Transmission", this was exclusively broadcast for three months on GoreZone TV. As well as a career in Directing Kemal works as an experienced cinematographer and editor. He also works as a Film-Making and Director Mentor in youth engagement and community cohesion projects, instilling a sense of achievement and providing opportunities to youth that have limited access to this type of art.