About Derviş Zaim Derviş Zaim (born 1964 in Famagusta, Cyprus now that place in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) is a Turkish Cypriot novelist and filmmaker. His name is romanized Dervis Zaim or Dervish Zaim. In 1995, his first novel won the prestigious "Yunus Nadi" literary prize in Turkey. "Nokta" (Dot) was nominated for best screenplay at the 2008 Asia Pacific Screen Awards.Biography Derviş Zaim was born in 1964 in Famagusta, Cyprus. He graduated from University of Warwick in England. He attended a course in independent film production in London, organized by the Hollywood Film Institute. In 1995, his first novel won the prestigious "Yunus Nadi" literary prize in Turkey. In 1996, Tabutta Rövaşata ("Somersault in a Coffin") was his debut as director and screenwriter; it featured a soundtrack by Baba Zula and Yansımalar.