SPECIAL SCREENINGS
BALKANCISCO
Director: Tuğrul Sarıkaya
Türkiye, USA / 2023 / Colour / 57' / Turkish, English; English, Turkish subtitles
Screenplay: Tuğrul Sarıkaya, Duygu Gün
Cinematography: Özgen Göksoy
Editing: Tuğrul Sarıkaya
Producer: Duygu Gün
Balkancisco is a documentary that explores the surprising journey of Balkan music in San Francisco through the stories of musicians from diverse backgrounds. Following Duygu Gün as she encounters the vibrant presence of Balkan melodies in the city’s streets, the film uncovers the cultural impact and American interest in this music, tracing a powerful exchange from the 1970s to the present. Supported by events like Kafana Balkan and Balkan Sundays, Balkancisco reveals how music transcends geographic boundaries to unite different identities in a shared rhythm.
Awards
- 2023 World of Film International Festival Glasgow – Balkan Cinema Film Award
- 2024 San Francisco International New Concept Film Festival – Wonderful Documentary Film Award
- 2024 ReelHeART International Film and Screenplay Festival – Best Music-Related Film
- 2025 ARFF Berlin – International Film Festival – Honorary Mention
- 2024 International Music Video Underground – Best Music-Related Documentary Award
- 2024 Bridges International Film Festival – Honorary Mention
- 2025 Balkan Cinefest – Balkan Storyteller Award
Tuğrul Sarıkaya
After completing his studies in Political Science and Public Administration at Uludağ University, Tuğrul Sarıkaya pursued web development education in the United States and founded the e-commerce company Recro Garage Inc. in San Francisco. He later transitioned into video production and established 35Video LLC, working with major clients such as ISS Guckenheimer and Vizru. His wedding videography was awarded “Best Videographer of the Year” by TheKnot.
His debut documentary Balkancisco, which explores the Balkan music scene in the San Francisco Bay Area, has received over thirty international awards. After returning to Turkey, Sarıkaya continues to share his experience in entrepreneurship, e-commerce, and visual content production under the roof of Doğru Dijital and Medya Akademi.