ElfinYüksektepe is a former TV programmer who has produced and hosted various TV programmes on arts and culture between 1996-2011, mostly on the state channel of Turkey, TRT, interviewing hundreds of leading actors and professionals active on the art and culture arena of the country. Born in 1976, raised in İzmir, she graduated from Izmir American Collegiate Institute in 1995, Anadolu University, Faculty of Communication Sciences in 1999. Along with her television career, she has worked as a producer for film production companies producing feature cinema films and TV commercials. After her MA in Cultural Management at Istanbul Bilgi University, she moved back to her hometown Izmir.
Starting from International Izmir Festival in 1992, she was involved in many projects regarding the art and culture scene in Izmir, mainly putting focus on projects with the Municipality of Izmir after the Izmir Cultural Workshop, in 2009, with the attendance of Izmir people and scientists, artists and intellectuals, where a new vision of improvement was determined. Since then, she has taken active part in the growth and realisation of this vision in democratic and participate practices, on building cultural policies, network building, audience development, relationships with the Mediterranean cities with the mission to provide progress for Izmir as a city of culture, art, innovation and design. She is one of the initiators of the ‘Cultural Platform of İzmir’ (İzmir Kültür Platformu Girişimi), a member of the advisory board and work group of Izmir Mediterranean Academy, and editor for the periodical “Pla+form”, a publication of the cultural platform.
In addition to these areas, Elfin Yüksektepe continiues to take part in various roles such as presenting, moderating, leading live stream events and directing forums for special projects held by organisations and brands.