Actor Leo Zaza, Director Yunus Yildirim, and Editor/Director/Cinematographer Sefa Karatekin Join Forces to Launch 'Swift Eye Film' Production Company

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Nov 14, 2014, 08:30 ET

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Nov. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Turkish-born actor is setting his sights high after moving to Hollywood two years ago. Having recently wrapped filming on the movie Devil Dogs with Eric Roberts, Leo Zaza has a 'Swift Eye' to take on Hollywood.

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"I am seduced by acting. It is the greatest influence in my life. My passion."

Leo spent his youth working as a shepherd on his family's farm and for local villagers. His studies were given in a one-room schoolhouse and combined with daily trips to the fountain retrieving water. As a child, Leo enjoyed music, dancing and playing street games. At the age of 12, using the proceeds from the sale of a Keklik (Partridge) bird that he caught from the wild, Leo decided to spread his wings and move to Istanbul. He then began to pursue his dream to study acting in America.

In Hollywood, Leo began taking on roles as an "Extra" for various films and commercial projects. He also began his theatrical debut in a play at the long time running, Next Stage Theater production of 'Vampire Masquerade.' He has worked with noted directors such as Efram Potelle, winner of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's Project Greenlight, as well as working with David Duchovny and his highly successful Californication, and Lindsay Lohan and Grant Bowler, in the much anticipated Liz and Dick, (based on Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton) which appeared on the Lifetime channel in November 2012. Recently, Leo has been taking on greater roles in various film productions and also starred in the play 'Fathers Day' at the Stella Adler Theatre with Academy Award winning director Milton Justice.

Leo is now teaming with two other partners, Yunus Yildirim (Director) and Sefa Karatekin (Editor/Director/Cinematographer), to launch a multimedia production company called 'Swift Eye Film.'

Yunus and Sefa picked up three International 2014 wins for the production of Berxen Kulek/Lame Lambs, which had 25 screenings all over the world. The film portrays a Kurdish Nomad who has to make a difficult decision about his deceased brother's wife and child in order to provide for his horde in the tough Kurdish territory of East Turkey.

These three Turkish Nomads began joining forces after meeting in NYC while studying at NYFA in 2011. They quickly realized their desire to take advantage of their individual talents by combining forces and starting a multimedia company that would be based in Hollywood. Leo moved first in order to join the Conservatory Program at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Theatre. Now all three forces are in Hollywood and ready to go for 2015. "We are excited at the possibilities. We are in the best position of our lives right now."

With the ambition of an army and a kaleidoscope of ideas, these three inspirations from Turkey have a 'Swift Eye' to take on Hollywood and the future of the film and television industry. We wish them good luck and look forward to seeing more great work in the near future.