Erim Metto, a child of migrants, (born: 25 July 1966; Erim Hassan) is a Turkish-British film director, producer, screenwriter, and business executive. He is the director of the RAaW (film and theatre training company) and CEO of the Turkish Cypriot Community Association.[1][2] He is the first Turkish Speaking magistrate in the United Kingdom.[3] He was the editor of the book Departures and Arrivals written by Hatice Abdullah.[4] He was a torch bearer for the 2012 London Olympics.[5][6]

Erim Metto
Born
Erim Hassan

25 July 1966
Occupation(s)Filmmaker
Philanthropist
Years active2004 – present
SpouseRobbi Stevens
ChildrenYasmin Metto
Jennah Metto

Metto was the recipient of the first Turkish Cypriot Community Achiever Award (Male).[7][8]

Early years

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Metto studies at Greenwich University, following graduation, he started to work for the London Borough of Haringey, and within a year, took the role of Race Equality Officer within the Tottenham constituency, which incorporates Broadwater Farm. He became the first Turkish Speaking Justice of the Peace in 1996, he was a founding member of Enfield Turkish Cypriot Association and has worked with many Turkish organisations over the years raising in excess of £4million pounds for Turkish oriented projects in the UK, Cyprus and Turkey.[9] In 2012 was nominated by various groups in London, ran with The Olympic Torch.[10][11][12]

After a hiatus of eight years, Metto assumed the role of CEO at TCCA and has worked on several major projects including the establishment of the Turkish Cypriot Cultural and Arts Festival, The Turkish Cypriot Awards and launch of the Turkish Cypriot Trust UK.[13] Metto spearheaded TCCA to receive a Cache beacon status and a bronze award from the Charity Awards Scheme in 2015. He also led several major international events and was responsible for carrying out the largest study into access of health care within the Turkish and Kurdish communities. Within the field of Project development Metto has developed projects from London to India, including the establishment of an elders' facility in Lefke. Under Metto's leadership, TCCA won the CENTUS top organisation within its first year. In 2019 Metto was awarded Community Achiever of the year at the inaugural Turkish Cypriot Community Awards.

Career

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Films

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Metto is a director and producer. He directed or produced five feature-length films, six documentaries, and 21 shorts.[14][15]

Year Film Type Director Producer Screenwriter
1982 Turkish Coffee Short film  Y  Y
2004 I Used to live in Cyprus Documentary  Y
Lockdown Short Film  Y  Y
Cultural Need Short documentary  Y
Flamingo Blues Feature Film  Y
Cultural Menace[16] Feature Film  Y  Y  Y
2006 Wartime Life Short documentary  Y  Y  Y
2011 Invalid Debris Short film  Y
2013 Detention Short film  Y
2014 Coma Feature Film  Y  Y  Y
The Tea, the Warehouse and the Tied Up Russian Short film  Y  Y
Detention Short film  Y
2015 The Warehouse and the Tied Up Russian TV Short  Y
Queen of Hearts Short film  Y  Y
Steel Horse Short film  Y  Y
Tracks Short film  Y  Y
2016 Vaccine AG19 Short film  Y  Y
Aphorism Short film  Y  Y
2017 Rufus Short film  Y  Y
2018 School Short film  Y  Y  Y
Amoc Post-production  Y  Y  Y
Without the Roses Short film  Y  Y

Other works

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In 2012, together with his partner, Robbi Stevens, Metto launched RAaW Ltd.[17] He is also CEO of Turkish Cypriot Community Association.[18]

In 2020, Metto launched the Turkish Cypriot COVID-19 Initiative, a partnership of six organisations that has led in the delivery of services to the most vulnerable within the community, the initiative impacted on the lives of the vulnerable.[19] His work has been commended by receiving the Haringey Hero Award and the recipient of the Bridge Renewal Trust Impact award, for funded contribution towards supporting those vulnerable within our community.[20]

Personal life

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Metto is married to filmmaker Robbi Stevens and has two daughters.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "The Kibkom Times - North Cyprus Online News - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus - TRNC". kibkomtimes.com. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  2. ^ "Erim Metto". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  3. ^ "Turkish Cypriot ran with The Olympic Torch". Avrupa Gazete, Hayatın tüm renklerini barındıran gazete (in Turkish). Retrieved 2018-08-21.
  4. ^ Departures and arrivals : Turkish Cypriots who came to England between 1934 and 1963 : 36 interviews. Abdullah, Hatice., Sinker, Mark. London: Turkish Cypriot Community Association. 2006. ISBN 9780955236211. OCLC 798312453.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  5. ^ "Torch route Day 64 — Greenwich to Waltham Forest". 21 July 2012 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  6. ^ "CHINGFORD: Proud torchbearer reflects on historic day". East London and West Essex Guardian Series. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  7. ^ "Community Achievement Award (m) | Home | Charity Awards | Turkish Cypriot Community Awards | London". Community Awards. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  8. ^ "Süper Başbakan Londra'da her kesimin derdini dinledi, festival sorununu da çözdü". Olay Gazetesi Turkish Newspaper in London. Retrieved 2019-05-01.
  9. ^ gazete, Avrupa Gazete, Hayatın tüm renklerini barındıran. "Turkish Cypriot ran with The Olympic Torch". www.avrupagazete.co.uk/ (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-01-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ "Torch relay live — Greenwich to Waltham Forest". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  11. ^ "Olympic Torch: Day 64". ITV News. 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  12. ^ gazete, Avrupa Gazete, Hayatın tüm renklerini barındıran. "Turkish Cypriot ran with The Olympic Torch". www.avrupagazete.co.uk/ (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-01-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ "Coronavirus support group helped thousands during lockdown". East London and West Essex Guardian Series. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  14. ^ a b "Erim Metto". IMDb.
  15. ^ "Erim Metto". BFI. Archived from the original on August 22, 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  16. ^ Film, British Council. "British Council Film: Cultural Menace". film.britishcouncil.org. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  17. ^ "RAaW London :: About Us". www.raawlondon.com. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  18. ^ "TCCA invites tenders for Turkish Cypriot café/restaurant in its North London building – T-VINE". Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  19. ^ "Londra Kıbrıs Türk Toplum Birliği'nden (TCCA) Kovid-19 Desteği". www.eurovizyon.co.uk/ (in Turkish). Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  20. ^ "Haringey Expo 2020". The Bridge Renewal Trust. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
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