The First Film Supported by the Mersin Film Office, Like a Limbless Tree, Heads to the Oscars
The Mersin Film Office, operating under the Department of Culture, Arts and Social Affairs of Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, has crowned its mission with an outstanding international achievement. Like a Limbless Tree, the first feature film supported by the Mersin Film Office, has been selected as Türkiye's official submission for the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars) in the Best International Feature Film category.
The 15-member Türkiye Oscar Selection Committee, composed of representatives from professional organizations in the film industry, selected Like a Limbless Tree by majority vote from among 17 competing films. Written by Tunç Davut and Sinem Altındağ, and directed by Tunç Davut, the film was produced by Tekhne Film as a co-production with TRT, with the support of the General Directorate of Cinema of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the contributions of the Mersin Film Office. As a result, the very first feature film supported by the Mersin Film Office has earned the honor of representing Türkiye at the world's most prestigious film awards.
This achievement marks not only a significant milestone in the film's international journey, but also a tangible outcome of the Mersin Film Office's founding vision of establishing Mersin as a leading destination for national and international film productions. The fact that its very first supported feature film will represent Türkiye at the Academy Awards highlights the remarkable progress of Mersin's film ecosystem.
The Mersin Film Office Supported the Production at Every Stage
Filmed in the Tarsus district of Mersin between 9 May and 12 June 2024, Like a Limbless Tree received comprehensive support from the Mersin Film Office throughout both the preparation and production phases.
Even during its development stage, the project received international recognition, winning the CNC Development Award and the Titra Films Sound Design Award, while also being selected for the Berlinale Talents Project Market and the CineLink Co-Production Market. In addition, it received the TRT 12 Punto Co-Production Award. With the coordination and support of the Mersin Film Office, the film was successfully produced in Tarsus.
The Mersin Film Office played a vital facilitative role throughout the production process by providing location scouting, coordinating permits, liaising with public institutions, organizing logistics, addressing technical requirements, and offering on-site operational support. From the initial research phase through the completion of filming, the Office ensured that the production team's needs were met efficiently and effectively.
By simplifying film production, accelerating administrative procedures, and strengthening collaboration between public institutions and the private sector, the Mersin Film Office has reached another important milestone in its mission to enhance Mersin's visibility within the international film industry.
A Powerful Story of Family, Migration, and Conscience
The film stars Ali İpin as Refik, Feyyaz Duman as İhsan, and Selen Kurtaran as Nalan, with Dilan Düzgüner, Ceren Taşçı, Ahmed Esmer, Baran Can Eraslan, Nasreddin Meshed, and Ahmet El-Ali completing the cast.
The story follows Refik, a retired engineer, who gives money to his Syrian caregiver, Nesrin, to help her flee to Europe with her two sons. As Refik prepares to reunite with his family ahead of the Eid al-Adha holiday, his life is turned upside down when Nesrin suddenly disappears, leaving her children behind. Through a compelling narrative, the film explores themes of family relationships, conscience, migration, and generational conflict.
The First Film Supported by the Mersin Film Office Heads to the Oscars
The Mersin Film Office, operating under the Department of Culture, Arts and Social Affairs of Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, has achieved a significant international milestone, fulfilling its vision of establishing Mersin as a film-friendly city. Like a Limbless Tree, the first feature film supported by the Mersin Film Office, has been selected as Türkiye's official submission for the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars) in the Best International Feature Film category.
Selected by majority vote from among 17 films by the 15-member Türkiye Oscar Selection Committee, which is composed of representatives from professional organizations in the film industry, Like a Limbless Tree was written by Tunç Davut and Sinem Altındağ and directed by Tunç Davut. Supported by the General Directorate of Cinema of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, co-produced by TRT, and produced by Tekhne Film, the film was completed with the contributions of the Mersin Film Office.
This achievement is not only a major milestone in the film's international journey, but also a tangible reflection of the Mersin Film Office's mission to position Mersin as a leading production hub for national and international film projects. The fact that the very first feature film supported by the Office will represent Türkiye at the world's most prestigious film awards highlights the remarkable progress of Mersin's film industry.
The Mersin Film Office Served as a Key Partner Throughout the Production
Filmed in Tarsus, Mersin, between 9 May and 12 June 2024, the production received comprehensive support from the Mersin Film Office throughout both the preparation and filming processes.
Even during its development phase, the project received the CNC Development Award and the Titra Films Sound Design Award, was selected for the Berlinale Talents Project Market and the CineLink Co-Production Market, and won the TRT 12 Punto Co-Production Award. With the coordination and support of the Mersin Film Office, Like a Limbless Tree was successfully brought to life in Tarsus.
To ensure the smooth execution of the production, the Mersin Film Office played a facilitative and solution-oriented role by providing location scouting, coordinating permit procedures, liaising with public institutions, organizing logistics, addressing technical requirements, and offering on-site production support. From the initial research stage through the completion of filming, the Office ensured that the production team's needs were met quickly and efficiently.
By simplifying film production, streamlining administrative procedures, and strengthening collaboration between public institutions and the private sector, the Mersin Film Office has reached another important milestone in its mission to enhance Mersin's visibility within the international film industry.
A Film Centered on Conscience, Migration, and Family
The film stars Ali İpin as Refik, Feyyaz Duman as İhsan, and Selen Kurtaran as Nalan, alongside Dilan Düzgüner, Ceren Taşçı, Ahmed Esmer, Baran Can Eraslan, Nasreddin Meshed, and Ahmet El-Ali.
The story begins when Refik, a retired engineer, provides financial support to his Syrian caregiver Nesrin so that she can flee to Europe with her two sons. As Refik prepares to reunite with his family before the Eid al-Adha holiday, his life takes an unexpected turn when Nesrin suddenly disappears, leaving her children behind. Centered on themes of family, conscience, migration, and intergenerational conflict, Like a Limbless Tree offers a powerful and thought-provoking cinematic experience that invites audiences to reflect on these deeply human issues.
To be continued…
