At just 26, Atakan Köse launched Twentie’s Film with a bold mission: to break free from formulaic advertising and bring cinematic storytelling back to the commercial world. Founded in 2022 and based in Istanbul, Twentie’s Film has quickly gained attention for its epic live-action productions, metaphor-rich narratives, and thought-provoking visual style.
From collaborating with major global brands like Intel and Estée Lauder to creating award-winning campaigns that move audiences and challenge industry norms, Atakan and his team have carved out a distinctive space in the production world. In this exclusive spotlight, we delve into the journey behind Twentie’s Film, their creative process, and the principles that continue to drive their rapid rise.
How was your company born and where are you based?
Twentie’s Film was founded in 2022 by Atakan Köse at the age of 26, hence the name “Twentie’s,” inspired by the decade in which he launched his own company. Before founding Twentie’s, Atakan directed award-winning short films and worked as a commercial director at advertising agencies and production companies, making films for global brands.
After his experiences in the U.S. and the Netherlands, he became critical of the formulaic nature of advertising films and believed that they had lost their storytelling essence. Driven by a vision to bring narrative depth, epic live-action style, and metaphor-driven, thought-provoking storytelling back into commercials, he founded Twentie’s Film.
The company is based in Istanbul and has since collaborated with leading global brands and agenciesincluding Intel, Estée Lauder, and Emaar, and helped the brands win several awards.
What was the biggest challenge to the growth of your company?
The biggest challenge was having no connections in the industry. Our strongest assets were the portfolio I had built through my previous work, the awards I had received, and our unique filmmaking approach. Entering an industry dominated by long-established production felt like being the new student at a college where everyone already belongs to tightly-knit friend groups you want to connect with, but no one knows who you are.
Gaining acceptance and getting others to believe in your vision can be difficult. You need to understand exactly how to approach and communicate with them. Some may underestimate you, distrust you, or simply not believe in your capabilities. But as long as you are confident in the quality of your work, you can achieve great things and prove yourself.
You must constantly persuade people of your skills and vision. The industry often tries to mold you into its existing patterns, but by staying true to your difference, you can challenge the norms and introduce a fresh perspective.
Which was the first huge success that you can remember?
I believe our biggest success was being able to introduce ourselves to major brands from scratch, earn their trust, and collaborate on remarkable projects despite being such a young company.
If we’re talking about a specific project, one of the first major milestones was a film we created for Intel and Ones Tech for their product showcase at a trade fair in Las Vegas. We were informed that this film would be crucial to the exhibition and that delivering exceptional work could help the product win an award. So, we carefully analysed the promotional videos created by other participants and noticed a significant gap: while the products were technically well-presented, they lacked humor and storytelling, two elements that always capture attention. Once we fully understood the product, we crafted a fun, engaging film that seamlessly integrated clear product explanations. Everything went as planned, and the company returned from the fair with awards.
Another success came when a brand approached us to create a commercial celebrating Republic Day in Turkey. We built the concept around time travel, and the film quickly became one of the most viewed and liked ads in the country. The brand even organised a special event dedicated to the film.
These are just a few examples.
What’s the biggest opportunity for you and your company in the next year?
We believe everything in the world is changing: technology, lifestyle, art, advertising, and filmmaking. The current industry leaders were once the ones who answered this very question correctly and adjusted their sails in the right direction during times of change. Inspired by that, we’ve built a team that embraces change and adapts quickly.
Our biggest advantage is knowing our strengths and not trying to be everything for everyone. In every meeting with brands and agencies, we clearly communicate that our core focus is creating epic, live-action, metaphor-driven, and story-based films.
With our distinct color palettes, use of VFX, and the integration of AI technology into our creative process, we believe we’re positioned to rise even further in the coming years. When people hear the name Twentie’s Film, we want them to instantly think of an innovative team specialising in cutting-edge live action and VFX/3D storytelling.
Can you explain your team’s creative process? What makes it unique?
The most important first step is accurately evaluating whether we align with the client’s expectations. After receiving a detailed brief, we focus on what we can do differently. We analyze existing commercials, study other campaigns within the same industry, and learn the core values of the brand. We also assess the target audience, who we’re speaking to, what we’re saying, how we’re saying it, and what cinematic language we should use.
Once we define the main creative pillars, we present initial story concepts to the client and move into scriptwriting. In some cases, when we receive a pre-written script, we turn it into a moodboard and prepare a visual presentation. Throughout the entire process, we maintain close communication, strengthening collaboration and completing the project together.
For a project to succeed, both sides must understand each other and respect each other’s sensitivities. A client who pushes the creative team too hard can complicate the process, just as a creative team working on something they’re not passionate about can compromise the outcome. That’s why our unique strength lies in only accepting projects that genuinely excite us. If a client brief makes us say “wow,” we know it’s the right fit. From that moment on, it becomes a shared journey of creation.
How does your team remain inspired and motivated?
Our greatest motivation comes from the incredible feedback we receive about the final work.
If applause is the biggest reward for an artist, then for us, it's seeing our work out in the world on its platform and hearing or reading those wonderful compliments. We genuinely love what we do, and that love is at the core of all our motivation.
How has COVID-19 affected your company?
We were not born yet, hehehe :)
Which agencies do you gain inspiration from? Do you have any heroes in the industry?
Yes! I can say Czar and Sandwich Videos. I like how they approach filmmaking.
What is one tip that you would give to other agencies looking to grow?
I truly believe that every company needs to find its own unique path to growth. Conditions vary for each agency, and success depends on how well those conditions are navigated.
But if I had to offer one piece of advice, it would be this: be confident in your work, believe in your perspective, and don’t be afraid to be different. Don’t compare yourself to other agencies or feel like you’re in competition with them. View the work of others as inspiration, not as benchmarks. Be like a fingerprint, completely your own.
How do you go about finding new clients/business? (Pitching, work with retainers, etc.)
We’ve reached out to brands via LinkedIn InMails to introduce who we are, what we do, and how we can support them. The most important part is identifying their problem and positioning yourself as the solution, the expert or “doctor” they need. Selling is a talent, and if you have that talent, you can sell your work.
The more projects you complete and the more clients you collaborate with, the more you benefit from their networks as well, because satisfied clients often recommend you to others.
What’s your one big hope for the future of the industry?
To become a production company known for its distinctive style, unique color palette, cinematic approach, and storytelling where films are created collaboratively by young directors and artists, and where viewers, while watching, say: “This must be a Twentie’s Film project.”
Can you share a defining moment in your company's journey that shaped its identity or direction?
While I was a university student, I was always passionate about making science fiction and metaphorical films, and I won awards for these films internationally. I was invited to many festivals and spoke as a guest at universities. I also had meetings with various industry professionals. After noticing that most commercials followed the same color schemes and cinematographic approaches, I decided to establish Twentie’s Film.
I believe commercials shouldn’t be quickly consumed or forgotten. I want a commercial film to resonate and connect with its audience. If it’s called a commercial film, then it should be an art form. A simple promotional video can be just that, a video, but we create commercial films. That requires an artistic approach and the ability to build a connection with viewers. It means staying far from repetitive, copycat styles and being original.
As one of the new generation of filmmakers, I want to bring fresh perspectives to the industry.
How do you foster a culture of innovation and experimentation within your team?
Our team includes Turkish artists, Norwegian artists, Dutch, and American members. (And we are always open to hear more different artists from different cultures) Different cultures bring diverse perspectives, and these varied viewpoints help us create amazing content.
What measures do you take to ensure diversity and inclusion are prioritised within your company?
I would say I’m exploring the world. Whenever I really like a film, I try to connect with the artist credited in it to learn more about their world. I also post job listings on LinkedIn to meet and discuss potential collaborations with many different artists.
If you’re a filmmaker, never forget that you are a citizen of the world. Where your company is founded doesn’t matter as much as having universal ideas and being a filmmaker whose heart and mind travel across the globe.
Can you describe a project that challenged your team creatively and how you overcame any obstacles?
To avoid problems, we maintain communication with our clients at every step. I would say we don’t leave our work to chance. However, of course, sometimes challenges do arise. If you are confident in your work, aware of your quality, and focused on listening and finding solutions through communication, any issue can be resolved easily.
Although it can be a stressful process, it’s important to identify the problem clearly and think about how to solve it.
How do you balance maintaining your company's unique creative voice while meeting the diverse needs of clients?
Of course, your client may want this commercial to be sales-oriented or aimed at promotion. Or it might be a prestige project they want to strengthen their brand with. They will come to you with clear expectations for the film. However, you are the expert and the one producing this film.
You need to convince them, using a moodboard, how and why the project can be done differently and more effectively within the framework of their expectations. Saying yes to every request out of fear of losing the job means producing work that’s outside your own style and vision.
Always remember that clients sometimes may not see or be aware of what you know. Your expertise as a filmmaker is to show them how to make their project even better. However, if the script from the client makes you wooah then no word just do it :)
What strategies do you employ to adapt to changes and trends in the industry while staying true to your company's values?
Following the AI trends closely, watching commercials from the hero production companies, following what happens in the world with news not only local, always be open to what happens in the world.
Can you share a memorable client success story that exemplifies your company's approach and impact?
For a construction company, I was invited as a speaker to a special event organized around the commercial film we created. I both wrote and directed the film. Seeing people watch your work with emotional eyes is an incredible feeling. When you step on stage and everyone looks at the film’s creator with admiration, it’s truly amazing.
This film also received a lot of attention and comments on social media. Unlike most commercials, we used the theme of time travel, incorporated metaphorical approaches, thunder sound effects, and small symbolic elements in the film all of which left a strong impact.
In what ways do you invest in the professional development and growth of your team members?
We want to connect with every film and advertising professional around the world, no matter the geography. As I mentioned, we believe in being citizens of the world and that art speaks a universal language. We still have a long way to go and much to learn.
Our priority is to open an office in the Netherlands or Australia and continue our work there. We are actively trying to meet professionals in those countries and are always open to collaborating closely with the industry leaders there.
How do you approach sustainability and ethical practices within your company's operations and projects?
As the founder, my master's thesis focused on climate change, specifically exploring its potential impacts on İzmir, Turkey’s third largest city, through a fictional film project. This academic background deeply informs our commitment to sustainability.
Beyond that, in all our projects and operations, we uphold transparency, fairness, and respect as core principles. We ensure these values are shared with our partners, aiming for a responsible and conscious production process at every step.
Can you discuss a time when your company had to pivot or innovate in response to unforeseen challenges, and what lessons did you learn from that experience?
In some projects, our clients may not have the budget for large-scale productions. But we believe that bringing a great idea to life doesn’t always require massive budgets. With the right boutique team, you can craft powerful and effective films.
In these situations, we also embrace innovation by incorporating AI technologies to support and elevate our storytelling. This approach allows us to deliver high-quality, creative content while remaining flexible and resourceful.
Do you have any websites, books or resources that you would recommend?
I don't believe there’s a single person to listen to, a specific book to read, or one source to follow. When you're truly eager to grow and learn, your own ideas naturally guide you toward the right resources. Curiosity is the best compass.
