STFFShorts Program 2025
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This year, Narrative Selection was screened on Nov 22 at 12:30pm and Documentary Selection was screened on Nov 23 at 11am, both at SIFF Cinema Uptown.
STFFShorts 2025 Selection
* Films are listed in alphabetical order
A Barber Who Cuts His Own Hair
Sükrü Özümcan Akın | TURKEY | 2025 | 14 min
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When Armagan stumbles upon Azmi Keskin’s barbershop late at night, he finds himself in for more than just an ordinary haircut.
Almost Certainly False
Cansu Baydar | TURKEY | 2024 | 20 min
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Having fled the war in Syria, Hanna and her young brother Nader find themselves staying in a run-down neighbourhood of Istanbul. Hanna spends her days learning nail design in order to earn a living, while dreaming of finding a way to migrate to Europe. When she meets a Turkish guy, Ibo, on a night out, she finds herself trying to balance her identity and desires with the needs of her young brother.
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* 1st Runner-up by STFFShorts Grand Jury
Eyelash
Doga Kilcioglu Esen | TURKEY | 2025 | 7 min
A little girl grows up under the eyelashes of a big eye… A story about loss, grief and transformation….
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Head Up
Tugce Taser | TURKEY | 2024 | 15 min
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"Head Up" tells the poignant story of Arya and Zeynep, childhood friends reunited in the heart of Istanbul, as they navigate their inner and societal struggles. Arya, a queer individual, strives to run a collective art studio in Istanbul. Zeynep, fleeing the oppressive constraints of her small-town family, goes to be with Arya. The dances performed by Arya and the communal, familial queer art circle they inhabit leave a profound impact on Zeynep's soul.
Morî
Yakup Tekintangaç | TURKEY | 2024 | 18 min
The only memory left to Mori from his father is the audio recording of the story he told him. Mori listens to this tale from time to time.
One day, a new teacher comes to school. When Mori sees the teacher, he thinks he is his father. Mori's insistence on this issue turns into an emotional bond between him and his teacher.
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* Grand Jury Favorite by STFFShorts Grand Jury
Recce
Efe Can Yıldız | TURKEY | 2024 | 19 min
Selma, a respected female director, goes on a location scouting trip to one of Istanbul's poor neighborhoods for a TV series project she has taken over. However, this planned visit, makes the young son of the house, Mert, uneasy. The unexpected clash between Selma and Mert will lead to a questioning of class prejudices and be a tough confrontation for Selma.
Squashed
Hazal Beril Çam | TURKEY | 2024 | 16 min
In the bustling chaos of Istanbul, as Yagmur waits at the bus stop, she witnesses a giant seagull snatch the woman beside her and vanish behind skyscrapers. Shaken, she joins her friends; soon, the shock fades into everyday chatter, and life resumes its usual flow...
Still Outside
Yusuf Elbasi | TURKEY and GERMANY | 2025 | 19 min
An escape from her own problems turns into a night wandering journey for a woman, who for once lets herself lead by coincidence.
This is a Cultural Product
Veysel Ayvazoglu | TURKEY | 2025 | 20 min
A documentary crew following the creative process of a young filmmaker named Batuhan Sahin gradually shifts its focus—not only to Batuhan himself but also to the commodification of culture. The film offers an ironic narrative that questions the meaning of sincerity and artistic production in a world where the artist must market himself.
Without Heaven
Merve Bozcu | TURKEY | 2025 | 15 min
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When Deniz (34) confronts her mother about the abuse that has haunted her since adolescence, she comes to understand that her mother carries a similar burden.
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* 2nd Runner-up by STFFShorts Grand Jury
STFFDocs 2025 Selection
* Films are listed in alphabetical order.
Burcu's Angels
Özgün Gündüz | CANADA | 2025 | 20 min
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At the heart of Vancouver, Burcu’s Angels is more than just a vintage store - it’s a haven, a stage, and a sanctuary. For thirty years, this vibrant space has welcomed outcasts, dreamers, and seekers, offering more than clothes - it offers belonging. Owned by Burcu Özdemir, a Turkish queer elder, the store has become a pillar of the community, often described as a “coming out center” for generations of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
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* Honorable Mention by STFFShorts Grand Jury
HaulHaul
Yeliz Kıroglu, Damla Mozioglu | TURKEY | 2025 | 22 min
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This documentary shows the new popularity of thrifting; the core between sustainability and subculture creates a conflict because of the commodification of aesthetics- the perspectives of different people from different backgrounds.
Siyah Kalem (Black Pen)
Selin Aktas, Murat Kadir Toy | TURKEY | 2025 | 29 min
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An artist whose name is not even fully known pushed the boundaries of imagination in 15th-century Central Asia by telling stories of jinn, giants, and demons, just to vanish right after. He left behind only scattered, fragmented paintings that seemed unrelated to each other. We do not know who he was, nor what he thought or intended to convey. This creative effort is a quest to decipher the meaning his creations—now ours to interact and echo—evoke in our minds.
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The Last Nest
Hasan Hüseyin Alkan | TURKEY | 2024 | 4 min
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"Son Yuva" (The Last Nest) tells the story of Ahmet Karakaya, a shepherd in Anatolia facing the harsh impact of the climate crisis. Torn between leaving his homeland or staying to fight for it, Ahmet must make a difficult choice. His struggle reflects the profound and universal disruptions caused by climate change, as well as the resilience required to face an uncertain future.
The Wedding of the Pirs
Yalçın Çiftçi | TURKEY, IRAN | 2025 | 20 min
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The Gorani Kurds living in the Hawraman region of Iran continue to keep a millennium-old tradition alive today. Every winter, the people gather to commemorate Pir Shaliyar, who lived in the village of Uraman Taht in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, and ritually re-enact his legendary wedding. Inspired by the region's deep-rooted culture, this ceremony, interwoven with prayers and dhikr, is repeated annually as a spiritual journey that has survived through the ages.
Student Filmmaker Workshop
We are thrilled to announce the STFFShorts Student Filmmaker Workshop in collaboration with Western Washington University (WWU)! Film Screening and Panel discussion will be moderated by Professor Eren Odabasi at the Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, with participation of Film Studies students and two guest professors, Eddy Troy and Felicia Cosey.
Thanks to our student filmmaker submitters and to this wonderful collaboration with WWU! Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to dive into some amazing conversations about filmmaking!
Student Filmmaker Workshop Participants
HaulHaul
Yeliz Kıroglu, Damla Mozioglu | TURKEY | 2025 | 22 min
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This documentary shows the new popularity of thrifting; the core between sustainability and subculture creates a conflict because of the commodification of aesthetics- the perspectives of different people from different backgrounds.
Nemesis
Zin Atas | TURKEY | 2025 | 27 min
In a remote North Carolina monastery, Father Thomas, a retiring priest obsessed with recent Byzantine discoveries in Istanbul, summons Adriel, a scarred young priest from Istanbul, to translate government letters. Grace, Thomas’s curious daughter, grows intrigued by Adriel. Drawn together by a philosophical game of perfection, they explore ideals of flawlessness, uncovering hidden talents and a deep spiritual love that unites their imperfect souls.
Congratulations to our student filmmakers and thanks to this wonderful collaboration with WWU! Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to dive into some amazing conversations about filmmaking!
STFFShorts 2025
Film Screeners
Berke Can
Burak Kutlu
Cansu Gurler
Cagri Kocyigit
Didem Demirkilinc Ibis
Duygu Aktas
Gokhan Duymaz
Irem Gokce Aydin
Nur Ozyurt
Nural Sumbultepe
Osman Ibis
​Toghrul Jafarov
STFFShorts 2025 Grand Jury
Angela DiMarco
Actor, Educator, Director and Filmmaker
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Angela is an Actor, Educator, Director and Filmmaker. She has been a performing artist on stage and screen for 40 years. In 2012 she and her husband started Mighty Tripod Productions and have produced over two dozen short films and four feature films. You may also find Angela at Mighty Tripod Acting Studio, teaching actors of all ages. Angela's directorial debut, Always, premiered at SIFF in 2018 and had its international premiere in CANNES short film corner. Angela believes strongly in the power of storytelling and creating powerful female led stories. Nicknamed "Mama DiMarco" in the PNW Community and known for #YouAreEnough and #DontWaitCreate.
Heather Pilder Olson
Screenwriter and Producer
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Heather is an award-winning screenwriter and producer who enjoys both narrative and documentary work. She recently wrote and produced the comedy TV pilot A Broad Abroad, filmed in Italy in 2023 and winner of three Best Pilot awards. Her documentary on homelessness, The River, is streaming on Amazon Prime.
Milo Verbowski
Art Direction, Virtual Production, and Technical Artistry
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Milo Verbowski has worked extensively in the film industry, leading art teams for features and shorts including Maleficent, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Man of Steel, Adventures of Tintin, District 9, and more. Proprietary technologies created by Milo have been used in production for Mr. Beast’s Squid Game, Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande’s Rain On Me, BBC’s His Dark Materials, among others. He is a Visual Effects Society member and a recipient of an Epic Megagrant for innovation in virtual production technologies. Currently based in Seattle, he works on real-time visualization technologies empowering storytellers to bring their visions to life.
Oguz Uygur
Filmmaker, Director of Photography and Photographer
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Oguz (Ozzie) Uygur is a filmmaker, director of photography and photographer based in Seattle, WA. His accolades include filming the award-winning short narrative, “The Devil Needs A Fix,” and winning a coveted Vimeo “Staff Pick” for his short film on the Turkish art of paper marbling.
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