Short Film – NOOR
Written & Directed by Omer Yilmaz
Debut U.S. Short Film

Noor is the U.S. directorial debut of Omer Yilmaz, a deeply personal short film exploring the invisible fears carried by immigrants; fears that persist even in so-called “free” countries. Shot entirely in studio using minimalist techniques and zero budget, the film’s intimate and claustrophobic atmosphere reflects the emotional weight and urgency behind its story.

Logline
A 35-year-old Syrian refugee, working as an Uber driver in Los Angeles, must deal with a disruptive passenger while her husband in Syria desperately tries to reach her for just five minutes.

Visual & Narrative Approach
With limited resources, the film was crafted using “poor man’s process” techniques to simulate a moving car entirely within a controlled studio environment. The tight, confined setting mirrors Noor’s inner tension; conveying a sense of emotional entrapment, distance, and longing.

This film is a tribute to the emotional complexity of refugee lives.

Themes & Tone
Noor is a quietly powerful meditation on exile, empathy, and endurance. With a restrained tone and observational storytelling, it highlights how everyday interactions can expose deep societal divides. The film speaks to anyone who has lived between two worlds:physically safe, but emotionally stranded.