Serhat Karaaslan was born in
a mountain village in Turkish Kurdistan. He studied Pharmacy
at university but continued in the cinema. He directed one feature film and four shorts awarded in festivals including Sundance, Toronto, Locarno, Karlovy Vary, SXSW, Palm Springs. His debut feature Passed
by Censor (Cannes Cinéfondation Residency) premiered at the 2019 Karlovy Vary FF (Critics Award).
His latest work, the short film The Criminals, had its world premiere
at Sundance in 2021 (Special Jury Award). It was selected in more than 160 festivals, won over 50 awards, was screened on Arte, Rai, Mubi, The Criterion Collection, inter alia, and was shortlisted at the Oscars & Césars 2022.