tabii’s much-anticipated new original series, Sumud, opened its journey to the screen with a special screening at one of Istanbul’s most prestigious venues. The Seed, the iconic event space at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum in Sarıyer, hosted the powerful and emotional world of the series for the evening. At eventvideom, we were honored to capture the full meaning and atmosphere of the night — from the press screening to the cast’s statements, from the red carpet to the moments on stage — through our photography and video lenses.
What is Sumud about?
Sumud is tabii’s ambitious action-drama, released with a first season of ten episodes. Taking its name from the Arabic word meaning “resilience, steadfastness and determination,” the series centers on Melisa, an idealistic young surgeon and the daughter of a Palestinian father and a Turkish mother.
Raised in New York, Melisa sets out on a journey to discover her identity and her past after learning that her biological father is a Palestinian doctor. Confronting the truth on a journey to the region, she must make difficult choices between her ideals and her heart. The story brings themes of identity, belonging and the struggle of a people to the screen within a dramatic, international frame.
Directed by Doğan Ümit Karaca and produced by Cinapex, the series was filmed in and around the Midyat district of Mardin, whose authentic texture gives the story a deep and realistic foundation.
The Sumud cast: a powerful, meaningful ensemble
A leading reason for the show’s appeal is a strong ensemble carrying the emotional weight of the story — the names fans are searching for:
- Şifanur Gül — bringing the idealistic surgeon Melisa to life, the powerful woman at the heart of the story, and one of the most-noticed faces of the night.
- Emre Kıvılcım — as Oğuz Akın, a United Nations officer working in the region whose path crosses Melisa’s.
- Burak Hakkı — as Ahmed Musa, a wise and devoted Palestinian doctor defending his people.
- Yıldız Kültür — a master actor as Ayşe Nine, tested by hardship yet standing tall, forming the emotional backbone of the story.
- Ayça Varlıer, Ülkü Duru, Cihan Şimşek (a beloved face from Kardeşlerim), Enes Külahçı, Emir Çiçek, Aras Efe Babacan, Berfin Kıymaz, Hilal Çelik, Teoman Gelmez and Sude Oduncu — enriching the dramatic texture of the ensemble.
This meaningful gathering of master actors and rising talent created a strong parade of stars, both on screen and at the screening.
A special night at The Seed
On the shores of the Bosphorus, the elegant atmosphere of the Sakıp Sabancı Museum’s The Seed carried an emotional and heartfelt feeling in keeping with the meaning of the series. At the press screening, the cast shared what the project meant to them, while portraits on the red carpet lent the night a prestigious air.
While our team captured these special moments, we also documented the natural flow of the night — the cast’s statements to the press, the crew’s candid conversations, the moments on stage. The most valuable frames of a screening often come in unplanned, heartfelt seconds, and capturing them takes being in the right place at the right moment.
The night, captured by eventvideom
For the Sumud special screening, eventvideom provided end-to-end event photography, event video and video production. With our experienced crew and multi-camera setup, we captured the red carpet, press and VIP portraits at broadcast quality, produced a cinematic aftermovie, documented the press statements and stage moments, and delivered selected frames the same night.
Documenting the launch of a production as powerful and meaningful as Sumud was a genuine source of pride for us.
Planning a premiere, screening or gala in Istanbul? Get in touch and let’s capture your event together.
