Canberk Köktürk (GER)
Authors / Film
was born in the Ruhr region in 1990 and grew up as the child of Turkish migrant workers. He studied German language and literature, philosophy and later political science at the University of Duisburg-Essen. During his studies, he worked as a freelance author and journalist for taz and ZEIT Online.
Since 2021, he has been working also as an author for television. His activities include programs such as ZDF Magazin Royale, Lass dich überwachen and smypathisch as well as participating in several writers’ rooms for plot and format development and dramaturgy.
WORKS
FASCHOLAND. Wir sind hier immer noch in Deutschland
2025
ULLSTEIN Buchverlage
In his non-fiction crime novel, Canberk Köktürk investigates Germany, because hatred, incitement and structural racism are poisoning the country. Köktürk writes like others strike: precisely, painfully and with a smile on his lips. A book that Germany deserves – and urgently needs.
smypathisch by Marie Lina Smyrek, Buch Marie Lina Smyrek und Canberk Köktürk
In 2021, Marie Lina Smyrek started the TikTok comedy format and won its first Grimme Prize in 2023. Canberk Köktürk came on board in 2024 and has been developing the show with Marie Lina. In 2026, the show was nominated for the Grimme Award for the second time.
smypathisch is produced by bilduntonfabrik on behalf of ZDF for funk.