Umut Karaduman
Founder of JustThinkWell / JTW Film
Film Producer, Director & Dop · Photographer · Music Producer & DJ
Based in Istanbul
I tell stories through film, music and photography.
After graduating in Visual Arts & Communication Design from Bahçeşehir University in 2012, I founded JustThinkWell in 2015. It remains the center of my work, and JTW Film grew out of it as the home for my films.
As a producer, director and director of photography, I take on productions of every scale, from high-budget shoots to boutique projects. My work spans films, commercials, documentaries, social media contents, music videos, aftermovies, brand and agency projects. My films have won awards and been screened at international festivals.
What drives my work is atmosphere: light, framing and rhythm. I see the camera as a way of telling the story, not just recording it. I stay involved in the whole process, from the first idea through the shoot, sound and edit, so every project keeps one clear voice, whatever its size or budget.
Music runs alongside all of it. As an electronic music producer and DJ, I've released my own tracks and play sets where the same things matter to me as on set: timing, mood and the feeling in the room.
I want every project to be honest, present and precise, and I want people to feel it, not just see it.
For projects and bookings: umut@justthinkwell.com
NEWS
MIXMAG Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/DGI1L3PMtqI/?img_index=1
MIXMAG Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/DM-wiB7Myo9/?img_index=1
BNVIFF Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/p/DKMwJbRtIw_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MTFoZnY1bW53azZ2OA==
ARFF Berlin - https://festregards.com/2025/10/07/waterway-no58-dir-umut-karaduman/
ARFF Berlin - https://festregards.com/arff-berlin-2025/
FILMOGRAPHY
– 2012 · 1st Place, Audience Award (Deney) — Hrant Dink Foundation “Vicdan Filmleri” Short Film Project
– 2025 · Official Selection, Best National Short Film (Waterway No58) — International Istanbul Short Film & The Writer’s Journey Festival · Screening & Director Q&A at AKM (Istanbul)
– 2025 · Honorable Mention, Best Documentary (Waterway No58) — Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival
– 2025 · Winner, Best Cinematography (Waterway No58) — Brazil New Visions Film Festival
– 2025 · Semi-Finalist, Short Documentary (Waterway No58) — Dumbo Film Festival (New York)
– 2025 · Finalist, Best Documentary Short Film (Waterway No58) — Anatolia International Film Festival
– 2025 · Official Selection, Best Documentary Short Film (Waterway No58) — Izmir International Short Film Festival
– 2025 · Quarter - Finalist, Best Documentary Film (Waterway No58) — 2025 ARFF Berlin // International Film Festival
– 2025 · Semi-Finalist, Best Director of Documentary (Waterway No58) — BIMIFF - Brazil International Monthly Independent Film Festival
– 2025 · Official Selection, Best Documentary (Waterway No58) — BIMIFF - Brazil International Monthly Independent Film Festival
DISCOGRAPHY
Unspecified Holistic — Single
Belizehole — Single
Let Me Get Something Spun — Single
Sirena — Single
Jungle After Dark — Single
Gloomy — Single
Groovy Dust — Single
Purple Horizon — Single
Unfold — Single
Reckless — Single
Blackout — Single
Brash — Single
909 Protocol — Single
No One Saw Us — Single
Rooftop Groove — Single
Mas Calida — Single
Playa de La Concha — Single
Villa Vanilla — Single
Zero Mercy — Single
People — Single
Change Baby — Single
Electronic music producer and multidisciplinary artist working across sound and image.
His early release Belizehole introduced a dark, atmospheric and cinematic approach, laying the foundation for a sound driven by tension, rhythm and space.
Tracks such as Gloomy, Jungle After Dark, Let Me Get Something Spun and 909 Protocol define the core of his current direction. Gloomy leans into melodic, soft house textures, while Sirena and Reckless explore groove-focused house structures shaped by percussion and vocal elements.
More playful, dance-driven works like Jungle After Dark, Brash and Let Me Get Something Spun combine techno energy with vocal-led momentum, creating an uplifting and physical club experience.
On the darker edge, Blackout and 909 Protocol stand out as groovy yet hard-hitting techno tracks with a strong cinematic presence.
Alongside music production, he is actively involved in visual storytelling and film, allowing sound and image to evolve together as interconnected creative fields. His work is rooted in atmosphere, movement and emotional impact rather than strict genre boundaries.
Thank you!
Mail: umut@justthinkwell.com