Nilay Erdönmez

Nilay Erdönmez — Biography

Nilay Erdönmez was born on 12 May 1986 in Istanbul. After graduating from the Theatre Department of the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University State Conservatory, she completed a master's degree at the same institution, and has worked as both an actress and a director in numerous subsidized and private theatres since 2006, appearing in productions such as Of Mice and Men at the Istanbul State Theatre and later in Kamamber, Julie and Kalanlar, while also directing works including Zenciler and Son Bir Kez. She won Best Actress for her role as Seher in the 2012 film Gözetleme Kulesi at festivals including Adana Golden Boll, Nuremberg, Brasilia and Dadaş. Her role as Kader in Yüzleşme brought her a Best Supporting Actress award at the 30th Golden Boll festival, and she won Best Actress at the Kocaeli Film Festival for Rosinante; her performances in Şahmaran and Gülcemal earned her the Breakthrough Actor of the Year award at the Lider Marka Awards. Following Bir Zamanlar Osmanlı Kıyam and Sevdaluk, she reached wide audiences as Asiye in İstanbullu Gelin, and went on to play Hare in Şahmaran and Gülendam in Gülcemal. She has also taught performing arts at Bilgi University and Gedik University, and continues to act.