NOBODY HOME by Meryem Çifteci has been awarded with the Topkapi Film Prize for Best Graduation Film at this year’s NFF Student Competition.
The prize was presented during the NFF Talent Award Ceremony on September 23 and is worth €5.000,-. This was the first time the Topkapi Film Prize was a part of the NFF Talent Awards. The jury consisted of Luc de Kock, Sinem Kavus, Bobbie Koek, Sam du Pon and Max de Wolf.
From the jury: “NOBODY HOME is a film that initially feels small. It appears to only move incrementally, with a modest arc for its characters. But this film nestles itself deep inside your heart, unnoticed. It is impressive how director Çifteci manages to portray the unspoken pain of her protagonists. Sometimes it’s fully in your face, other times we only get to watch from a distance. We would especially like to highlight Ali Çifteci, who plays the role of depressed dad with gusto.
NOBODY HOME tells the story of Isra (18) and her father. Texel was always the place where Isra and her dad Ömer would go on holiday. Not a surprise then that she chose this island to break the news to him that she’s moving out. Isra hopes that the soothing environment and happy memories would help soften the blow for her depressed father. Because would he be okay without her at home? Graduating director Meryem Çifteci based this intimate film on her relationship with her own father, actor Ali Çifteci, who also plays the role of Ömer in the film. The role of Isra is played by Derin Mine Oksal.