Mr. Gay Syria follows two gay Syrian refugees who are trying to rebuild their lives. Husein is a barber in Istanbul living a double life between his conservative family and his gay identity. Mahmoud is the founder of Syria’s LGBTI movement and is a refugee in Berlin. What brings them together is a dream: to participate in an international beauty contest as an escape from their trapped lives and an answer to their invisibility. Will the dream come true or will the refugee crisis and the harsh consequences of being gay in the Muslim world shatter it to pieces?

Documentary 89’ 2017
Writer and director : Ayse Toprak
Coproduction with : Coin Film (DE), Toprak Films (TK)
International Sales : Taskvoski Films

World Premiere – Sheffield Doc/ Fest 2017 / Winner Silver Hugo at Chicago International Film Festival 2017 / Human Rights Award Sarajevo Film Festival 2017 / Official Selection IDFA 2017 /The Best European Documentary at Tirana Film Festval 2017/ Real Lovers Int. Documentary Festival – Special Jury Mention/ The Best Documentary at Amsterdam LGBTQ Film Festival Roze Filmdagen 2018/ The 4th OCAÑA Award to Freedom at the Festival de Sevilla, in Spain/ Grand Prix at the Paris Gay and Lesbian Film Festival/ A special mention for Best Human Rights Film/Impact at Verzio Film Festival, Budapest