Hi, I’m Can Deniz Atıcı, a Turkish-Canadian filmmaker based in Toronto.

I’m currently raising funds to make my short film Happy Birthday, Kızım - a deeply personal story about belonging and resilience in a new country, about an immigrant who finds a piece of home through an unexpected bond with a rescue dog.

About the Film

Set over the course of a single day in Toronto, Happy Birthday, Kızım follows Leyla, a Turkish immigrant and food delivery driver, whose fragile world unravels when her car is towed away along with her beloved dog, Lokum.

As she searches the city for her missing dog, Leyla confronts the loneliness and disconnection of starting over in a place where she longs to feel at home.

Why This Story Matters

This project was born out of my own experience as an immigrant navigating life between cultures. Like Leyla, I know the feeling of trying to belong while everything around you feels uncertain.

It began through conversations with my producer and dear friend, Dila. As Turkish immigrants, we bonded over what it means to start again, how our voices get lost in translation, and how streets can feel both familiar and foreign.

While raising awareness about rescue dogs, the film also sheds light on the emotional reality of gig work, the quiet resilience of newcomers, and the invisible bonds between people and animals that keep us grounded.

Toronto, often seen as a symbol of multicultural harmony, will be portrayed here as both familiar and alien, a place where many live in between languages, jobs, and identities.

How You Can Help

We’ve secured partial support from organizations and mentors, but we still need community support to bring this story to life.

Your contribution will help us cover:

Join Us!

Your financial support -no matter the size- will help us tell this immigrant story with the care and authenticity it deserves.

Thank you for helping us bring Happy Birthday, Kızım to life!