Gupse Özay

Özay's career is marked by a series of firsts: she wrote and starred in one of the highest-grossing Turkish comedies of 2014, Deliha, and became one of the few Turkish actresses to direct a feature film she also wrote. Her directorial debut, Amacım Yok, won the Audience Award at the International İstanbul Film Festival, a rare feat for a first-time director. She was listed among the "Top 10 Turkish Female Directors" by The Guardian in 2022 and received a Key to the City from İzmir Municipality in recognition of her contributions to Turkish cinema. In 2023, she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Turkey Youth Awards, celebrating her impact on comedy and filmmaking.