INTERVIEW with OMER YILDIRIM

How long have you been doing movies? How did you decide to start making movies?

I started my artistic career in theater; I wrote plays, directed, acted, and provided training. I also worked as a director for commercials and animated projects. In fact, I have been professionally involved in various disciplines within both theater and cinema for many years.

Although ‘Silent Plan’, which we completed in 2025, appears as my first official film project in my filmography, it is backed by nearly 20 years of experience and a deep background in storytelling.

Therefore, it would not be accurate to say that I have been making films for only a year. This journey will continue with feature film and series projects. I have already written the stories and will soon move on to the screenplay phase.

Why did you do this project?

I once witnessed a group of deaf individuals passionately arguing in a crowded place. They were deeply engaged in communication through their hand movements and facial expressions, but no sound was heard, and no one around them even noticed. This moment profoundly affected me; they were right there in the middle of the crowd, yet completely invisible.

At that moment, a question crossed my mind: ‘If all the sounds in the world disappeared one day, which voice would I miss the most?’ I wrote and directed ‘Silent Plan’ in search of an answer to that question.

(If you can say). How much budget did you have to do this project?

When we started working on Silent Plan, we had no budget at all. However, we had a big dream and strong belief in our story. Later, we managed to reach a modest contribution, but even then, it was still considered a low budget by independent film standards. With great discipline and dedication, we aimed to achieve the highest artistic quality possible within our limited means.

Was it self-funded or did you get budget/producers/investors?

Together with my co-producer and one of the leading actors, Mehmet Şah Çelik, we shared our dream and the honest cost estimates with Ali Yılmaz Tosun. Ali kindly decided to support us, saying, “Let me help you make your dream come true.” In addition, our entire creative team and professional actors wholeheartedly contributed to the project. Thanks to this combination of limited financial support and strong team spirit, we were able to complete the film.

How long did it take from the initial idea to being able to release?

The story behind Silent Plan goes back many years, but the decision to finally write the script and make the film was made during the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. While walking through the streets of Cannes with my co-producer and leading actor, Mehmet Şah Çelik, I told him, “When I return to Istanbul, I will shoot a film, and you will play the leading role.” Mehmet then wished, “Next year, we’ll attend festivals with our own film.”

As soon as I returned to Istanbul, I started writing the script. It went through 13 revisions. We built the cast and crew, secured some funding, and completed the shooting over two weekends. The editing, post-production, and music processes took about a month.

From the moment of that decision to the final cut, the film was completed in less than a year.

Are you happy with the result?

I am happy with the result. This is not a “deaf film,” nor was it made with the urgency of delivering a message. We wanted to tell the story of four deaf youths living in a small town — their hopes, disappointments, and struggles. We did not aim to provide information or impose a message on the audience. However, through its natural flow, the film touched viewers, evoked empathy, and moved them deeply.

What phase is this project in right now? Are you in the initial phase of sending it to festivals, middle phase or finishing the circuit?

Silent Plan has just started its festival journey. We made our first submissions at the beginning of 2025, and we are currently awaiting responses from different parts of the world. We are still at the very beginning, and we believe the film has a long festival journey ahead.

In addition, we are planning to organize screening and Q&A events at universities, foundations, and institutions, together with our cast. Having two deaf actors in the leading roles has greatly strengthened the film’s narrative language and created unforgettable memories for us during the pre-production and shooting phases. That’s why we want to bring the film to many more audiences and connect with diverse groups of viewers.

How has your experience been with the festivals so far? Where do you think they should improve?

Our festival journey has just begun, and we are currently waiting for the results of our submissions. Even the submission process itself has been a valuable learning experience, helping us understand different expectations. In the future, I believe offering brief feedback to independent filmmakers would be highly valuable for growth and motivation.

Could you tell us which platforms you use to submit your entries to festivals?

We primarily use FilmFreeway for our festival submissions. Additionally, we apply through some festivals’ own official submission portals. We pay close attention to each festival’s specific requirements and preferred platforms during the application process.

Were you inspired by any director or film? If so, tell us your references.

There are many directors who have influenced me, but Christopher Nolan’s approach to storytelling and his treatment of time have had a strong impact on me. I am also inspired by Steven Spielberg’s ability to touch universal emotions, Majid Majidi’s skill in creating depth through simplicity, and Kim Ki-duk’s powerful emotional expression within silence. Each of these directors, coming from different parts of the world, reminds me of the universal strength of storytelling.

Your favorite movie?

There are many films that have deeply influenced me. Christopher Nolan’s “The Prestige” and “Interstellar,” Kim Ki-duk’s “3-Iron,” Majid Majidi’s “Baran” and “The Willow Tree,” and Roberto Benigni’s “Life is Beautiful” all hold a very special place for me, both in terms of storytelling and the deep human emotions they convey.

Favorite series?

Many series have influenced me, but “Breaking Bad,” “Anne with an E,” “Outlander,” and “Game of Thrones” stand out the most. Each of them is inspiring in terms of character development, storytelling depth, and world-building.

Do you see yourself making movies in 5 years? Where do you see yourself?

In five years, I see myself having completed feature films and series projects. Since I have a background in acting, I also want to take part in a project purely as an actor. My biggest goal is to become a filmmaker who signs international projects within the next five years. I believe that working with people from different geographies, cultures, and languages will enrich my storytelling even further.

Do you have any other project in mind?

I try to quickly write down or take notes of the projects I have in mind, because what is in the mind is not truly mine — only what I write down belongs to me.

Currently, I am developing two feature film projects and a seven-episode series. All three carry stories that are very exciting for me. The preparation process is ongoing, and with each passing day, the projects are taking clearer shape.

What do you ask for the future? (cinematographically speaking)

In the future, I aim to bring more stories to life, collaborate with people from different cultures, and leave a lasting mark in the international cinema world.

For me, cinema is not just an art form; it is a universal language that connects different lives and emotions. I want to continue reaching more people through this language and keep discovering new stories to tell.

Your best experience in a movie theater?

I usually go to the cinema to enhance the experience of being deeply moved. Today, with advanced sound systems and large OLED screens, the cinema atmosphere has become accessible even at home. Therefore, when I choose to watch a movie in a theater, I prefer venues that offer a unique experience, such as IMAX, 3D, or special motion seat systems. I must admit, though, that due to my busy schedule, it has been a while since I last went to a movie theater.in us on this journey!

SILENT PLAN SHORT MOVIE INFORMATION
WEB: www.silentplanmovie.com
IMDB: www.imdb.com/title/tt36590371

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1074794090

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/silentplanmovie/

BIOGRAPHY FILMMAKER:

Ömer Yıldırım is a director, actor, writer, and educator.
After completing his undergraduate and graduate studies in Theatre, he began his artistic journey as an actor before expanding into directing, writing, and teaching.
Throughout his career, Yıldırım has created works that blend traditional storytelling with contemporary visual techniques.
He is the author of the book Method and Character Studies in Acting and wrote and directed My Father's Toys, one of Turkey's pioneering children's plays utilizing the Black Light Theatre technique.
He also adapted and directed the international work Mr. Men and Little Miss for the stage.
In addition to his theatre work, he has directed animated content and served as a creative director in the advertising industry.
He continues to teach acting, theatre, public speaking, and communication at various institutions while mentoring young talents.
His short film Silent Plan reflects his artistic vision built on visual storytelling and emotional depth, exploring modes of expression beyond spoken language.
Yıldırım's works are known for their heartfelt narratives, minimalist storytelling style, and focus on making the unseen visible.
He is currently developing a feature film and a seven-episode series project.