Portakal follows six-year-old Engin after he is separated from his mother, with whom he has lived in prison since birth. Sent to stay with his grandparents in a village, he faces an unfamiliar life while quietly developing a plan to find his way back to her.
Portakal is a 2026 Turkish short film written and directed by Sis Gürdal. Its story centers on Engin, a six-year-old boy whose life changes abruptly when he is separated from his mother.
With a runtime of 16 minutes, the film focuses on Engin’s adjustment to his grandparents’ village and his determination to reunite with the woman from whom he has been separated. The production is associated with Turkey and the United Kingdom, and its spoken language is Turkish.
Portakal movie details
| Title | Portakal |
|---|---|
| Release date | |
| Runtime | 16m |
| Director | Sis Gürdal |
| Writer | Sis Gürdal |
| Country | Turkey, United Kingdom |
| Languages | Turkish |
| Status | Released |
Story without spoilers
On his sixth birthday, Engin is taken away from his mother, who has been raising him in prison since he was born. He is then placed in the care of his grandparents and brought to their village, where the circumstances of his new life are difficult to understand and accept.
As Engin tries to adapt, he begins forming a plan to reunite with his mother. The premise places a child’s perspective at the center of a story about separation, displacement and the effort to preserve an important family bond, without revealing how his plan develops.
What to expect
Portakal is a short-form family drama built around a young child facing a major change in his life. The 16-minute format suggests a focused narrative rather than an expansive account, while the village setting and Engin’s separation from his mother provide the film’s central circumstances.
The story is likely to appeal to viewers interested in concise, character-led dramas involving childhood, family separation and resilience. The supplied information does not identify additional genres, keywords or stylistic details, so expectations are best grounded in the premise and short runtime.
Cast and creative team
Sis Gürdal serves as both director and writer of Portakal. The cast includes Musa Yılmaz, Naz Göktan and Merdan Karataş. No character assignments are provided in the supplied credits.
- Musa Yılmaz
- Naz Göktan
- Merdan Karataş
Release and production context
Portakal is listed as a 2026 release with a release date of August 19, 2026. It has a runtime of 16 minutes. The film is associated with Turkey and the United Kingdom and is spoken in Turkish. It is listed as released in the supplied metadata.
Movies Dock view
With its compact runtime and emotionally difficult premise, Portakal presents a focused story about a child coping with separation and seeking a way back to his mother. Sis Gürdal’s combined writing and directing credit gives the film a clearly defined creative lead, while the available details keep the emphasis on Engin’s situation and objective.
Frequently asked questions
What is Portakal about?
Portakal follows six-year-old Engin after he is separated from his mother, with whom he has lived in prison since birth. He is taken in by his grandparents and develops a plan to reunite with her.
Who directed Portakal?
Portakal was directed by Sis Gürdal.
Who wrote Portakal?
Sis Gürdal wrote the film.
How long is Portakal?
Portakal has a runtime of 16 minutes.
When was Portakal released?
Portakal is listed with a release date of August 19, 2026.















