By Behcet Alkan and Seda Sevencan
NEVSEHIR, Türkiye / ISTANBUL (AA) - Exports of Turkish television series and films have drawn increased interest from some of the world’s leading film studios, according to a leading figure in the sector.
Speaking to Anadolu, Sait Yardimci, chairman of the Turkish Film Commission, said the board, established in 2012, has been working to position Türkiye as a major global film location.
He noted that in recent years, international audiences have shown greater interest in Turkish productions, fueling demand that has attracted the attention of the global film and television industry.
“Nearly 60 TV series and films are produced in Türkiye each year, and they are exported across Asia, Europe, the Balkans and South America,” he said.
He added that Hollywood, Bollywood, and major streaming platforms have ramped up their engagement with Türkiye, not only purchasing content but also producing projects in the country.
“Tourism has now evolved into different segments. After convention, cultural, and sports tourism, film tourism has emerged,” he said. “We know places like Las Vegas, Paris, and London through TV series and films. The leading countries along these lines are France, the UK, and Italy.”
“In recent years, Türkiye has also seen growing interest. Film tourism is an indispensable part of the tourism industry. I believe that in the coming years, both film production in Türkiye and exports will multiply.”
- Türkiye’s natural beauties draw major studios
Yardimci said demand from film studios, particularly in the US, China, and India, has been growing, and he believes Türkiye is steadily securing a strong position in the global film industry.
Beyond its economic contributions, he said, filming locations often become tourist attractions for audiences who watch Turkish TV series and films.
“There are key criteria when choosing a location, and Türkiye is rich in terms of natural film vistas,” he said.
“In recent months, studios such as Paramount, Universal, Sony, and Warner Bros have reached out to us. They ask about film incentives, VAT refunds, and the process for obtaining location permits. From the Aegean to the Black Sea, from Southeastern Anatolia to the Marmara region, Türkiye has an abundance of cultural heritage. This is an invaluable, unique, and unrivaled situation.
Yardimci added that local government support for filming TV series, movies, shows, documentaries, and promotional videos in historically rich locations such as Cappadocia could encourage more international production teams to choose Türkiye for future projects.