Short Films

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Golden Tulip Competition

HYSTERIA

• Director: Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay
• GERMANY / 2025 / DCP / Colour / 103’ / German, English, Arabic, Turkish, Kurdish; Turkish, English s.t.

• Screenplay: Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay
• Director of Photography: Christian Kochmann
• Editing: Denys Darahan, Andreas Menn
• Cast: Devrim Lingnau İslamoğlu, Mehdi Meskar, Serkan Kaya, Nicolette Krebitz, Aziz Çapkurt, Nazmi Kırık
• Producer: Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay, Claus Herzog-Reichel
• Production Co.: filmfaust, ZDF
• World Sales: Pluto Film Distribution Network GmbH
• Turkish Rights: MUBI

International Premiere

2025 Berlin Europa Cinemas Label

Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay’s second feature that follows Oray starts with the filming of a provocative feature about the xenophobic arson attacks on German migrant residences in the 1990s. When a genuine Quran goes up in flames during the shooting, the incident infuriates everyone on set, fingers are pointed at the Turkish-German director, making accusations of racism. Caught in this confrontational crossfire is production intern, Elif, who soon realises that everybody involved has layered motivations and agendas at play. Offering unique and insightful observations, Hysteria tackles the subtle racism and hypocrisy that preoccupies thoughts about immigrants and foreign cultures. The film had its premiere at the Panorama section of the 2025 Berlinale.

* In accordance with Article 7 of the Law No. 5224 amended on 18.01.2019, cinema films that have not been reviewed and classified can only be screened in festivals, special screenings and similar cultural and artistic events with an 18+ age restriction.

This film was a Meetings on the Bridge participant.