Deniz Aksoy

Screenwriting

Deniz Aksoy joined Catalyst in 2025 as a tutor for Visual Theory and Practice for Screenwriters. Half German and half Turkish, she lives and works in Berlin.

Her academic path bridges practice and theory. Deniz first studied Communication Design before undertaking a second course of study in Art Theory and Cultural Studies. Alongside her teaching, she works as an Art Director and Trainer, bringing industry experience in visual concept development into the classroom. Her professional focus centres on art direction and visual concept development, while her theoretical research engages critically with design theory.

At Catalyst, she supports screenwriting students in strengthening their visual literacy and developing a deeper awareness of how images function culturally and politically. For Deniz, visual practice carries more responsibility than is often recognised.

She is particularly motivated by moments when students discover new ways of expressing themselves. In her view, sensual and visual expression is becoming increasingly important in how we think and work today. Creating space for this discovery, and for critical reflection alongside it, is central to her role.

Deniz describes artistic practice as both a blessing and a curse – a field of possibility that demands constant questioning. Her current interests are shaped by art theory that reconsiders questions of power, gender and history, and how these forces shape the images we produce and consume.

Through her combined practice as an art director, theorist and educator, Deniz Aksoy contributes to a learning environment that encourages screenwriters to think visually, critically and responsibly – and to locate their own voice within a broader cultural conversation.