Atakan Yılmaz wows with short film and becomes MQ Artist-in-Residence in 2026
At the 2025 International Film Festival this human world, Atakan Yılmaz impressed the jury with his short film "Hi mom, it's me, Lou Lou" in the expanded shorts category and won the 2026 Artist-in-Residency at the MQ.
Jury statement (Elisabeth Hajek, Marina Richter und Hannes Zwinger):
With Hi mom, it's me, Lou Lou Atakan Yılmaz presents an emotionally very powerful short film, a deeply touching exploration of a search for identity amid guilt, loss, and social oppression. The story of a young drag queen who has to return to their conservative parents' home following a traumatic event is related with compassion as a portrait of society at large in Turkey, which continues to reject the LGBTQIA+ community in all of its multiple expressions.
The domestic context is depicted as a restrictive, almost suffocating space where there is neither room for individual freedom nor for any form of self-expression. Lou Lou's inner conflict — a conflict marked by shame, self-denial and the desire to free themselves from the expectations of an authoritarian father — is shown with sensitive imagery.
The film delivers a sharp analysis of diametrically opposed worldviews, while holding space for the mother's legacy as a source of empathy, love, and freedom — qualities that guide Lou Lou on their own journey of self-discovery. Her invisible presence becomes the driving force behind a long overdue personal reconciliation.
The short film has a captivatingly clear artistic vision and intimate narrative style, taking a courageous look at a reality where the struggle for personal freedom has become an act of resistance. Hi mom, it's me, Lou Lou is a deeply moving work that speaks powerfully to the rich diversity of human identity.
MQ Writer-in-Residence 2025 in cooperation with BMEIA
The MuseumsQuartier Wien and the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs have invited authors from Germany to apply for the MQ Writer-in-Residence program in Vienna. The jury members Mia Eidlhuber, Dagmar Harbich and Florian Baranyi have selected Mirjam Wittig (January & February 2025), Thea Mengeler (March & April 2025), Laura Lichtblau (May & June 2025), Ronya Othmann (July & August 2025), Dana von Suffrin (September & October 2025) and Luna Ali (November & December 2025).