ABOUT
Nilüfer Lily Kaya is a writer, director, and producer based in Chicago. She holds a BA in Film and History from Loyola University Chicago.Originally from Turkey, Nilüfer immigrated to the United States and became deeply involved in community building and outreach within the nonprofit sector. She has taught ESL to new arrivals in the U.S. and worked closely with the League of Women Voters as a community engagement intern. Her dual degree in History and Film reflects her passion for understanding the sociopolitical world through the lens of visual storytelling. As a documentary film director, she continues to explore history and politics through her work. Her current documentary was awarded the Schreiber Innovation Fund, recognizing its innovative approach to storytelling.
Nilüfer has also worked as a teaching assistant at the School of Creative and Performing Arts and in film development for Barry Films. She is a regular volunteer at the Telluride Film Festival, the Chicago International Film Festival, and the Chicago Humanities Festival. Her commitment to storytelling that challenges norms and inspires change is central to her work. In 2024, In addition to her work in development and production, Nilüfer’s passion for the arts led her to be selected for the Telluride Student Symposium in 2024, a prestigious opportunity for emerging filmmakers. An Emmy award-nominated producer, Nilüfer has also had her short films screened at several film festivals across the Midwest.