The 14th Hamburg Kurdish Film Festival is in full swing, featuring a rich lineup of film screenings and engaging discussions.
This year’s festival, which kicked off on Wednesday, is dedicated to Kurdish artists and intellectuals who have been forced into exile due to their dissenting voices.
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Medya Haber correspondent Deniz Babir had the opportunity to witness the festival firsthand, capturing the essence of the event. Insights into the festival organisation were provided by committee member Berivan Ubçin.
Ubçin mentioned that they received almost 150 submissions, including short films, documentaries, and feature-length productions, originating from various regions of Kurdistan and Europe.
Since its inception as a student-led initiative, the festival has undergone significant development, becoming more professionalised and reaching diverse audiences over time.
Ubçin expressed her belief that they have successfully nurtured a Kurdish cinema audience in Hamburg. She noted the increasing interest each year, expressing particular satisfaction with the heightened attention received this year. According to her, cinema stands out as the most powerful medium for expressing their language and culture.
Committee member Bilal Bulut highlighted the progressive development of Kurdish cinema, pointing out that as the cinematic landscape evolves, so do their festivals. In the current edition, they are featuring a total of 19 films, comprising four feature films, six documentaries, and nine short films.
Bulut praised the exceptional quality of the films being showcased this year. Notably, ‘Baghdad Messi‘ was honoured with two awards on the previous day, and the festival’s closing film is Ayşe Polat’s ‘In the Blind Spot’.
Jury members for this year’s festival include directors Cengiz Akaygün, Ekrem Heydo, and Antonia Kilian. Alongside the film screenings, the festival encompasses discussions and workshops during the weekend.
The 14th Hamburg Kurdish Film Festival will conclude with an awards ceremony on 26 November.
