Catch Your Moment

Ilias, a 28-year-old urban artist from Rotterdam, dreams of making it in the music industry, but when he unexpectedly becomes a father, he is confronted with the challenge of balancing his passion with his new role. While Ilias tries to be a good father and artist, he maneuvers between everyone’s expectations, including his own. Yet, it’s his father’s approval that Ilias seeks most—a man with whom he has always had a complicated relationship, shaped by Islamic family values and unspoken expectations. While Ilias attempts to distance himself from his father’s influence by making choices his father wouldn’t necessarily approve of, he still values their relationship more than he’s willing to admit.

‘Papa, ik ben’ is a heartwarming and honest story about the complex journey of fatherhood, career and identity. We follow Ilias as he grows into his role as a father, while also healing and evolving in his relationship with his own father. It’s a relatable and pure portrayal of a young man discovering what it means to grow up, face responsibility, and embrace life, all while navigating the unspoken complexities of family expectations and generational differences.