Elçin Musaoğlu

Elçin Musaoğlu Guliyev is an important name who both shapes Azerbaijani cinema and makes a splash in the international arena. Musaoğlu, who works as a screenwriter and producer as well as theater and film director, is especially known for his award-winning feature films. The director, who managed to reach a wide audience with his works such as The 40th Door and Nabat, was awarded the title of Honorary Art Worker of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2016.

Musaoğlu, who is also a member of the European Film Academy, Azerbaijan Professional Film Directors Association and Turkish Documentary Film Producers Association, is actively involved in different platforms of the cinema world.

Born in Baku on July 11, 1966, Musaoğlu was introduced to art at an early age. After studying theater directing at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, he continued his education at the Russian State Institute of Performing Arts in Moscow. During this period, he also had the opportunity to work in the workshop of the famous director Mark Zakharov.

In 2003-2004, he participated in the Development of Cinema in South Caucasus Countries program organized by Switzerland-based FOCAL in Tbilisi and was crowned with an award there.

Musaoğlu's cinema career started at Cafer Cabbarlı Azerbaijanfilm Film Studio and later continued at Azerbaijantelefilm studio within Azerbaijan State Television. The director, who has made more than 80 documentaries and feature films to date, has received awards and served as a jury member in many international festivals with his works.

Among his most well-known films, 40. Kapı and Nabat received great acclaim both locally and internationally. Musaoğlu, who brought a new breath to film production with the Sinema Evi production company he founded in 2005, helped 40th Door win the Golden Remi Award for Best Foreign Film at the Houston International Film Festival in 2009.

The movie Nabat attracted attention by being screened in the Orizzonti section of the Venice International Film Festival in 2014. The film, which was later included in the list of Oscar candidates for Best Foreign Language Film, reinforced Musaoğlu's success in the international arena. The director supports future filmmakers with the Young Filmmakers Club he founded in 2017, and helped four short films and one feature film produced by club members win awards at international festivals.

Finally, the script of the work named Meryem, shot in 2022, was deemed worthy of TRT's 12 Points Award in 2021. Musaoğlu, who is currently the head of the Telefilm studio within the Azerbaijan State Television, continues his work in both directing and producing.