Atilla Oener studied economics at the Duisburg University of Applied Sciences; he financed his studies as a bartender and bouncer. In 2005 he completed his acting degree with distinction at the Theater der Keller in Cologne. This was followed by a first engagement at the Rheinisches Landestheater Neuss, production-related roles at the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, Theater Hagen, Atze Musiktheater, Wolfgang Borchert Theater in Münster, and various film and television roles in Germany and Türkiye.
Since 2008 he lives in Berlin as a father of three, actor, writer and director. In 2019, he received BKM funding for a screenplay development. At Ballhaus Naunynstraße he participated in various productions as an actor. Im Strom (2022) is his second production at Ballhaus Naunynstraße, after Territory (2021), his directorial debut. He also took part in the Extended Cooperation theater workshop and performs in the resulting showings of Extended Cooperation Vol. II. This theater production has been part of the repertoire since fall 2025 under the title Your Baggage Unattended. In addition to his creative work, he works as a boxing trainer for young people and adults in Kreuzberg.