Meet Ulku Pehlivanoglu

We were lucky to catch up with Ulku Pehlivanoglu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ulku, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
For me, confidence didn’t come all at once — it grew through years of doing the work, facing setbacks, and learning to trust my instincts. Early on, I often found myself in unfamiliar or challenging environments, especially as a woman in creative leadership roles. Working with children and young people has always been a source of joy for me; I love rekindling their passion for life and motivating them. Each project I completed, each child I inspired in my workshops, and each story I told through film helped build my inner foundation.

I realized that when I listen to my inner voice, I always find the right path. Nothing meaningful exists outside of us — it’s all within. But my work only gains true meaning when I am happy and at peace. When creating for others, there’s always a part of us that feels lacking and insecure.

Over time, I stopped waiting for permission or validation. Instead, I started believing that showing up with sincerity, care, and persistence was enough. That belief — and seeing how my work could genuinely move or help others — became my greatest source of self-esteem.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As an international film director, producer, and art entrepreneur, my work spans across visual storytelling, education, and building artistic communities. I am the founder of Lokomotif Kamera, a production company that has provided technical infrastructure to over 120 films—many of which have gained international recognition. Our vision at Lokomotif is to support creative voices with both cutting-edge technology and a deep respect for artistic integrity.

In parallel, I established Atölye Lokomotif, a creative hub and educational initiative where I mentor emerging talents in filmmaking and visual arts. What excites me most is creating spaces where storytelling, innovation, and education intersect—especially when those stories challenge norms, celebrate diversity, and uplift unheard voices.

Beyond film, my passion lies in cultivating global collaborations and launching new initiatives that merge art and social impact. Whether it’s launching a new film project, hosting a masterclass, or mentoring the next generation of creatives, my mission is to inspire meaningful change through art.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
One of the most useful traits that has helped me through challenges and new experiences is my persistence and my resilience in the face of difficulties. When I deeply believe in the positive outcome of a project, I don’t give up easily. I stay patient and committed throughout the process. Creative industries—especially film and the arts—require managing countless financial and logistical variables. To do this effectively, you need to be emotionally and mentally strong. Everything starts as a dream. You are often trying to bring something into existence that doesn’t yet exist, and turning that into something tangible within a certain timeframe can sometimes require a superhuman effort. Along the way, people around you—who don’t see the same vision—may begin to lose faith. It takes effort to keep the excitement alive and to inspire others to believe in that dream, too. Learning to navigate uncertainty with patience and adaptability is crucial.
For those just starting out, I’d say: embrace failure as part of the process, and try to see each obstacle as a stepping stone.
Another quality I feel lucky to have is my background in two completely different disciplines—Engineering and Cinema. This gave me an interdisciplinary perspective. Engineering is based on the positive sciences; it encourages constant questioning, skepticism, and innovation. Cinema and the arts, on the other hand, ask you to observe what is, accept it as it is, and try to understand and interpret it. That means empathy and imagination. As a result, my education in both technology and art has provided me with a broader space to create and innovate.
I believe young creatives and entrepreneurs should be curious beyond their core fields. Explore literature, history, design, and science—these all feed your creativity and help you bring a unique perspective to your work.
One more skill that has developed over time—almost unexpectedly—is my ability to collaborate and build communities. Whether you’re directing a film or mentoring students, nothing meaningful is built alone. I’ve learned that building trust, listening deeply, and valuing every contributor’s voice is key to lasting success. My advice: surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you, and don’t be afraid to lead by empowering others.
At the heart of this journey lies not just mastering your craft, but also growing as a human being. That’s where real art begins.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Taking a break—pausing, slowing down, and if possible, stepping back to see the situation from a distance—usually helps. Whenever I feel lost or off track, I ask myself: How did I get here? If I’m working within a team, my first step is to calm those around me and try to return to the core idea—the original spark that started it all. That always works.

When you’re creating something new or collaborating with others, there’s always a risk of things descending into chaos. It’s just the nature of life. In such moments, people can easily shift blame to others to avoid criticism or discomfort. But that doesn’t solve the problem—what matters is finding the solution.

By staying calm and remembering the initial intention, I regain a sense of clarity and confidence. Then I go back and reflect on the steps that have worked so far—those that moved me closer to the goal. Sometimes, every step may be right, and yet the result still hasn’t come. In that case, it’s necessary to go back to the very beginning and either repeat the process or redesign parts of it. This requires patience—and the ability to hold onto your belief, even when outcomes are still unseen.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
All images are owned by me and do not require attribution. However, I kindly ask that the following credits be added:
For all images featuring children: @Atolye Lokomotif Art Center (These are photos from my children’s workshops.)
For the single image showing an empty venue: @Lokomotif Children’s Cinema
For the two images showing a film crew: @5Musketters Film Set

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