Callings

Production Company
University of British Columbia
Producer(s)
Julien Bisnaire-Wakeham, Sebastian Issac-Goodwin
Director(s)
Khazina Qureshi
Casting Director(s): 
Julien Bisnaire-Wakeham
Union Status
Non-Union
Project Type
Film
Student Production
Yes
Compensation Details

Volunteer, non-paid.

Audition Date(s)
November 15
Audition Location
University of British Columbia
Shoot / Performance Date(s)
Jan 29-31
Shoot / Performance Location(s)
Vancouver, BC
Submission Deadline
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Submission Instructions

Please submit headshot and cover letter to callingsshortfilm@gmail.com.

Project Synopsis
Derya, a solitary woman in her late seventies, lives quietly in a small home surrounded by a garden and woods. She tends to her flowers, prepares simple meals, cares for her grandchildren, and practices a private form of Sufi devotion. Fiercely independent, she resists the technology her daughter insists she learn. While navigating the unfamiliar internet, Derya accidentally enters a chat room dedicated to Sufism. Under the anonymous name “Rumi,” she begins speaking with three younger men about poetry, divine love, and spiritual practice. Hidden behind this identity, Derya finds the intellectual connection and sense of belonging she has been missing. When the group arranges to meet in person, Derya hopes to find acceptance beyond the limitations of her age and gender. When the men discover who she is, they dismiss her. Determined to prove herself, she enters their circle and joins their chanting, becoming swept up in an increasingly ecstatic spiritual experience. Meanwhile, Derya has left her grandchildren at home, believing she will only be gone briefly. As the hours pass, the children are left alone, and their cries echoing.
Character 1
Derya
Age
70s
Gender
Female
Description
An independent, stubborn, and deeply spiritual elderly woman who lives alone in a modest home surrounded by a garden and woods. Rooted in Sufi practice, she finds meaning through prayer, meditation, and poetry. Since the death of her husband, she has become increasingly withdrawn, protective of her solitude, and resistant to modern technology.
Character 2
Zayneb
Age
30
Gender
Female
Description
Derya’s daughter. Practical, loving, and protective, she worries about her mother’s growing isolation. Her desire to keep Derya safe often clashes with her mother’s fierce independence and spiritual beliefs. She navigates the tension between caring for her mother and respecting the life she has chosen.
Character 3
Samid
Age
30
Gender
Male
Description
Zayneb’s partner and the father of her children. Gentle, patient, and understanding, Samid acts as a mediator between mother and daughter. He respects Derya’s independence and approaches her with compassion, encouraging her to embrace technology as a way to stay
Character 4
Alia
Age
1
Gender
Female
Description
Derya’s youngest grandchild. Vulnerable and entirely dependent on those around her, Alia represents the fragile, immediate needs of life. Her cries eventually interrupt Derya’s spiritual trance, drawing her grandmother back into the physical world.
Character 5
Farhi
Age
40
Gender
Male
Description
A confident and articulate man Derya encounters through an online Sufi group. Initially positioned as a knowledgeable voice on Sufi poetry and spirituality, Farhi sees himself as an authority within the group.
Additional Characters

OMID — 26 | Supporting Role
The youngest member of the online Sufi group. Curious and initially intrigued by Derya, Omid is drawn to her identity and spiritual perspective. However, his fascination gives way to discomfort when faced with her age and presence.

SAMI — 35 | Supporting Role
A reserved member of the online Sufi group who tends to follow rather than challenge the opinions of others. Quiet and observant.