Born in Istanbul, where she first worked as a journalist after completing her studies in law and journalism, Beki Probst moved to Switzerland, where she became the general manager of the Quinnie Cinemas.  From 1981 to 1988, Beki Probst served as the Berlin International Film Festival's official delegate for Turkey and Greece. Beki Probst founded the European Film Market of the Berlinale in 1988, developing it into one of the most significant industry hubs in the international film business. She was its Director and later President until 2018. Beki Probst has served as a jury member on multiple international film festivals and has received much recognition – she has been decorated as “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres” by the French Ministry of Culture, was honoured with the Berlinale Camera in 2018 and in 2019 with the Honorary Award of the Swiss Film Award.