Back Gunes's Senior Film Projects
Donation protected
Hello! My name is Gunes Goker. I was born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, and I’m currently a high school filmmaker and photographer at the Chicago Academy for the Arts. Since the moment I picked up a camera, I’ve been passionate about telling stories through film and photography. Now, as I enter my senior year, I’m taking on some of my bigger projects - one I’ve filmed back home in Turkey.
To make this happen, I’ve already financed over $6,000 worth of professional filmmaking equipment—gear I needed to shoot this and other films this year at a high level and continue my work beyond high school. This means I’m currently paying off that cost monthly, out of pocket, while also preparing for the costs of production. I'm now raising funds not just to finish building my cinema rig, but also to relieve the financial weight of what I’ve already committed to.
Up until now, all of my work has been made using school-provided equipment. Thanks to that access, I’ve become familiar with industry-standard gear, and now I’m building a setup of my own—one that will empower me to keep creating well beyond graduation. Owning this equipment allows me to work without limitations, fully express my creative vision, and build a professional portfolio as I enter the film industry.
Whether you’re able to give $5 or $500, every contribution brings me closer to completing this dream, and every bit of support truly means the world to me.
Quick Note:
The $10,000 goal reflects the full cost of a professional, ready-to-shoot cinema rig. However, only $5,000–$6,000 is needed for a functional setup: a cinema camera body, a strong lens, and basic rigging/travel gear. The rest would allow me to fully outfit the rig with additional tools to make it production-ready for years to come.
*Links to each component will be provided at the very end of the description*
If you would like to check out any of my current work, here are the links below
Links to Gear
Organizer and beneficiary
Gunes Goker
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Laura Saenz
Beneficiary