Rüstem Batum

Professional experience:

· “The Unsaid With Rüstem Batum” - Producer and host of this weekly live TV Show about current affairs and social and political issues (2004 - Present). Won best TV Show award of the Contemporary Journalists Association.

· “Which Cyprus?” - Produced, directed, filmed, and edited this 93-minute documentary film on the latest political developments in Cyprus ( 2003-2004).

· www.minidev.com - Editor-in-chief and owner of this largest Turkish alternative media site (1999- Present).

· “Rüstem Batum’un Gözüyle” (“Through the Eyes of Rüstem Batum”) - Wrote, filmed, edited, and presented eight separate documentaries on large cities of the world (1998-1999).

· “Halamın Stand-Up’ları” (“My Auntie’s Stand-Ups”) - Actor, writer, and producer of these stand-up comedy routines (1996-1997).

· “Rüstem Batum’la 360 Derece” (“360 Degrees with Rüstem Batum”) - Producer and host of this weekly live TV show dealing with political and social issues. Taped in front of a live audience with up to 20 guests per show (1994-1995).

· “Rüstem Batum Show” - Producer and host of this weekly TV talk show (1990-1994).

· “Ters Köşe” (“The Opposite Corner”) - Wrote this weekly column for Milliyet, one of the largest Turkish daily newspapers (1990-1991).

· “Mini televizyon” (“Mini Television”) and “Harbi Sohbet” [Speaking the Truth] - Writer and actor for these TV programs (1990).

· “İki ters bi düz laflar” [Words Straight and to the Contrary] - Writer, actor, and producer of this stand-up comedy show (1988-1989). Won Avni Dilligil Theatre Award for 1989.

· “Gece Postası” (“Tonight Show”) and “Pazar Şenliği” (“Sunday Fun”) - Writer and actor for these weekly TV programs (1989).

· Zoom Productions, Owner – Produced and directed over 100 TV commercials (1977-1980; 1985-1990).

· Department Director - Directed the TV and film department of A.R.T., Anatolian Radio Television (1984-1985).

· Producer - Produced a weekly TV Show for Valley Magazine (Los Angeles 1982-1984).

· Los Angeles representative for I.I.F. Films (1982-1984).

· Photographer for Sipa Press (Los Angeles 1980-1984).

· Independent photographer for fashion and advertising (Los Angeles 1982-1984).

· Journalist - Los Angeles correspondent for Hürriyet, the largest Turkish daily newspaper (1982-1983).

· “The Prophet” - Short film funded by the Belgian Ministry of Culture (1976).

· Short films - Wrote, produced, and directed student short films while in film school (Brussels, 1972-1976).

· R.T.B. Assistant - for Belgian TV in Brussels (1973-1976).

· Journalist - Brussels Correspondent for Cumhuriyet, a daily Turkish newspaper (1972-1976).

Education:

· U.C.L.A. (University of California Los Angeles, 1980-1983). Attended workshops on professional studio photography and acting.

· I.A.D. (Institut des Arts de Diffusion, Brussels, 1972-1976). Bachelor’s degree. Produced and directed for TV and film.

· U.L.B. (Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 1972-1974). Studied Political Science.

· College Saint Joseph (French Catholic High School in Istanbul, 1963-1971).

Speaks French, English, and Turkish fluently.