Experiencing Interruptions?

Madness

A young YouTuber who has perceived the world differently than others since childhood lives in his mind with imaginary friends that no one else can see—but to him, they are as real as his subscribers. These characters bring him joy, courage, and an endless supply of chaotic energy for his videos, but they also make his life a never-ending sitcom of awkward moments. Whenever he feels lonely, he chats with them, brainstorms video ideas, or gets into full-blown arguments—sometimes forgetting that he’s in public, much to the confusion of those around him.

While trying to build his channel and create engaging content, he also struggles with keeping his imaginary friends in check. His closest companion is a sarcastic yet wise figure who gives him creative (and often brutally honest) advice. Another is a rebellious, adrenaline-junkie troublemaker who insists that clickbait and dangerous stunts are the way to viral success. Then there’s a hyperactive, adorable child figure who believes every bad idea is brilliant and constantly pushes him to make terrible decisions. And, of course, there’s the shadowy, brooding entity that lurks in the background, rolling its eyes at his every move, occasionally whispering things like "You call this content?"

Things take a turn for the worse when his imaginary friends start causing real-world problems—accidentally making him talk to himself on livestreams, sabotaging his collaborations with other influencers, and convincing him to take on the worst brand deals. When a major opportunity comes his way, he realizes he needs to get a grip on reality… or at least pretend to. His family encourages him to seek therapy, which he reluctantly agrees to—though he insists that technically, his imaginary friends should also get an invite.

Now, stuck between his thriving online career, his chaotic mental world, and the possibility of real love, he has to make a choice: Should he embrace reality and risk losing his creativity, or find a way to live with his imaginary team without letting them ruin his life? And, more importantly—can he stop having full conversations with them in public before someone calls security?

  • Özgür Gerçel
    Director
  • Özgür Gerçel
    Writer
  • Özgür Gerçel
    Producer
  • Özgür Gerçel
    Key Cast
    "Youtuber"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    dram, comedy
  • Runtime:
    2 minutes 28 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 18, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Turkey
  • Country of Filming:
    Turkey
  • Language:
    Turkish
  • Shooting Format:
    digital,
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Özgür Gerçel

Born in 1978 in Nisantasi, Istanbul, the artist developed an interest in visual arts at a young age, encouraged by a father passionate about photography. During elementary school, he discovered his passion for photography and combined this interest with various sports, including swimming, water polo, underwater rugby, motorcycle racing, and sailing. In his twenties, the artist began to focus on storytelling through photography, embracing visual expression as a means of communication. Throughout his career, he has participated in every stage of film production, continuing to explore the world behind the camera and share this perspective with others.

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Director Statement

The modern world is louder than ever. With social media, content creation, and the constant demand for attention, our minds are rarely given the space to breathe. "Madness" is a story about that noise—but taken to an extreme.

At its core, this film is about identity, creativity, and the blurred line between imagination and reality. Our protagonist, a YouTuber navigating the chaos of internet fame, is someone many can relate to: an artist trying to stay true to himself while also fighting to stay relevant in an industry that demands constant reinvention. The twist? His creative process is guided (and sabotaged) by a cast of imaginary characters who are just as unpredictable as the internet itself.

I was drawn to this story because it reflects a truth that many of us experience whether we create content or not. We all have inner voices: the self-doubt that whispers in our ears, the reckless instinct that tempts us to make impulsive decisions, the dreamer that refuses to let go of impossible ideas. By externalizing these voices in the form of distinct characters, this film plays with the idea of how we manage (or fail to manage) our own thoughts, fears, and ambitions.

Stylistically, "Madness" embraces a playful, energetic tone with moments of heart and vulnerability. The humor comes from the absurdity of the situation, while the emotional weight comes from the protagonist’s journey to find balance—not just in his career, but in his own mind. The visual approach will reflect this duality, shifting between the raw, sometimes overwhelming pace of the online world and the more intimate, surreal interactions between our protagonist and his imaginary friends.

More than anything, I want this film to be a celebration of creativity and the human mind’s ability to cope, adapt, and grow. It’s a love letter to the dreamers, the overthinkers, the storytellers, and anyone who’s ever had to ask themselves, “Am I crazy, or is this just how my brain works?”