Letter 29
Short film, 2026
Letter 29 is a docu-fiction short set during an exhibition of anonymous letters
from displaced people, where the event’s host is confronted by his own unspoken connection to the stories.
Written & Directed by Nilüfer Lily Kaya
Produced by Imaan Hasan & Nilüfer Lily Kaya
Executive Produced by Miguel Silveira
Photographed by Michael William Chopra
Starring Ayhan Hülagu & Ilirida Memedovski
Letter 29 is not just a short film. It is a collective project –a work of mass storytelling and organizing. In collaboration with non-profits, activists, and local businesses, we have collected anonymous stories from across Chicago through physical letters, inviting people to share their lives and memories with us. As our film is being completed, people all over the city and surrounding areas share pieces of their pasts and presents.
These letters not only form the core of our film but will also become part of a larger-screening series once it’s finished. A traveling exhibit featuring the letters will accompany screenings, allowing different communities to learn the stories they contain, even if they were not part of the film.
