Rat Poison is a short movie inspired by personal life events. It’s about being stuck after traumatic events and the subsequent events that follow. Not being able to understand the situation you are in, being stuck, having a fear of relapsing, and not being able to escape, but over time, healing.
The story is told in a fragmented format, imitating the journey of healing and the process. These fragments suggest dimensions, symbolic of memories, inner turmoil, and healing.
The film is an exploration of what happens when people are subjected to traumatic events; as in the media, the events themselves are talked about; however, the effects on the victim and how the actions overshadow the process of healing.
Director/ Writer
Mina Kaya (b. 2003, Istanbul, Turkey) is an animation director and visual artist based in the Netherlands. They recently graduated from Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam with their short film Rat Poison (2025), which explores the aftermath of trauma through layered visual storytelling.
Growing up in Istanbul and studying in Rotterdam shaped their perspective as artists: they are drawn to the overlooked human experiences that often disappear when only the bigger picture is considered. Through animation, Mina explores how emotions can be expressed visually when words fall short, aiming to create films that open space for dialogue, empathy, and resilience.
Upcoming Screenings
29th November - The Hague Film Festival
GET IN TOUCH