Esra chose BU for its strong reputation in screenwriting and its unique blend of academic expertise and industry experience. She was particularly drawn to learning from professors who bring real-world knowledge into the classroom. However, her decision to pursue scriptwriting went far deeper than academic ambition. In 2019, after surviving a traumatic accident and brain haemorrhage, Esra began reflecting deeply on memory, identity, and the fragility of life. This experience inspired her to write—not only as a form of personal healing, but as a way to tell meaningful, human stories.

During her time at BU, Esra thrived in the collaborative and international environment. Working alongside students from around the world allowed her to explore different cultural approaches to storytelling, while studying in the UK introduced her to new academic perspectives that enriched her creativity.

Since graduating, Esra’s career has gone from strength to strength. Her feature film script White Freedom, developed as her master’s thesis, reached the quarter-finals in both the 2024 Los Angeles Screenplay Awards and the 2025 New York Screenplay Awards. Alongside this success, she stepped into directing with her first short film, Coffee Wizard. From developing the concept to overseeing production, the project allowed her to bring her storytelling skills to life on screen. The film reflects her growing confidence as a filmmaker and highlights her ability to translate written narratives into visual storytelling, marking an important milestone in her creative journey.

In February 2025, Esra began working as a Script Supervisor and Editor of TV dramas at TRT 1, Türkiye’s national broadcaster. She has also published her first book, The New Wave in Greek Cinema and Yorgos Lanthimos, and will represent TRT 1 as a jury member at the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union Awards.

What Esra finds most rewarding is engaging with scripts from different writers and cultures, gaining insight into how storytelling varies around the world. She values balancing creativity with industry expectations and believes every script has the potential to open new worlds.

Her advice to aspiring BU students is simple: immerse yourself in the craft. “Learn by doing and writing,” she says. You must read widely, explore deeply, and immerse yourself in stories from across the world. Let different voices, cultures, and perspectives shape your understanding, because that is where your creativity will truly come alive.