Born in Akşehir, Turkey, Özgen Zeybek studied at a Fine Arts High School and later graduated from Dokuz Eylül University's Department of Music in İzmir, Turkey. During her university years, she developed an interest in the performing arts, joining the university’s theater club and appearing in several stage productions. After graduation, she worked as a music teacher for three years in Yüksekova, Hakkari. Following her transfer to Istanbul, she continued her teaching career while recognizing the musical talents of autistic and visually impaired young people she encountered. She gave them instrumental lessons on a voluntary basis over many years. By preparing these students for fine arts high schools and conservatories, she enabled them to pass their talent-based entrance examinations. Throughout her teaching career, Zeybek advocated for the right of individuals with special needs to receive arts education and spearheaded initiatives that led to the adoption of precedent-setting decisions by the Council of Higher Education and the Ministry of National Education. As a result, age-related barriers and academic examination threshold barriers restricting access to arts education for young people with special needs across Turkey were removed, and Mandatory quotas were established for individuals with special needs at these educational institutions. Her dedicated efforts in educational equity and artistic mentorship, together with her students' achievements, have been widely covered by national media. Pursuing her interest in screenwriting and cinema, Zeybek studied Radio, Television and Cinema at Istanbul University while continuing her teaching career, graduating in 2023. During her final year at university, she made her first short film, 60 Saniye (60 Seconds), which she wrote, directed, edited, scored and starred in. The film had its world premiere at the 61st Golden Knight Malta International Short Film Festival and its national premiere at the 30th Adana Golden Boll Film Festival. It was subsequently screened at various festivals and received several awards. She also completed professional training in dubbing, voice acting and diction, and studied acting under the guidance of Turkish theater and film actress Ayşen İnci. In addition, she composed and performed original music for various projects. In 2026, she completed her second short film, Perde (The Curtain), which she wrote, directed, edited and starred in. The film received the Special Jury Remi Award and the Gold Remi Award at the 59th WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival in the United States, a Certificate of Merit at the 68th Rochester International Film Festival, and an Honorable Mention at the 11th Ferrara Film Festival in Italy. It was also officially named a semi-finalist at the 44th Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival in the United States and a quarter-finalist at the 38th Girona Film Festival in Spain. In addition, the film was officially selected for the 16th Social World Film Festival in Italy, with its selection announced at the Italian Pavilion as part of the 79th Cannes Film Festival. Zeybek currently teaches music at the long-established Kabataş Erkek High School in Istanbul while continuing her cinematic career as a director, actor, and screenwriter.
