The 8th New York Kurdish Film Festival, which began on 12 October, is in full swing, drawing audiences to a celebration of Kurdish cinema and culture. With the theme “Kurdish Mother Tongues”, this year’s edition has already presented a diverse selection of films that reflect the richness of Kurdish life and culture. Running until 19 October, the festival highlights both emerging and established voices from across the Kurdish regions, screening films in Sorani, Kurmanci and, for the first time, Luri.
The festival presented an impressive line-up of 34 films, including shorts, features and documentaries. One of the standout films screened so far is ‘1988’ by Hezhwan Zendi, a historical drama set during the Iran-Iraq war that tells a poignant story of love and resilience in Halabja. Another highlight was “Jinwar” by Nadya Derwiş, a documentary about an all-female village in Syrian Kurdistan. Audiences have praised the film for its portrayal of women’s empowerment and the efforts of Kurdish women to create a safe space in a war-torn region.
The festival also featured animated films such as “Homo Fuge” by Mashaallah Mohammadi, a short, dialogue-free film that captivated audiences with its minimalist storytelling and poignant commentary on survival.
As the festival enters its final days, several highly anticipated screenings remain. On October 18, “Khalil” by Seyed Payam Hosseini, a short fiction from Iranian Kurdistan and “After the Rain” by Beston Zirian from Germany, will be shown.
After the screenings, cinema lovers will be welcomed by Dr Cevat Dargın and Dr Kamal Soleimani, two experts on the politics and history of Islam and the Middle East, in a panel discussion on ‘The Importance of Native Kurdish Language in Cultural Reflections under Colonialism’. The closing night on 19 October will feature a series of short films and the festival’s final feature-length documentary, offering audiences one last opportunity to experience the vibrancy and resilience of Kurdish culture through cinema.
In addition to film screenings, the festival has hosted several in-person Q&A sessions with directors, allowing attendees to delve deeper into the filmmaking process and the cultural significance of the stories being told. Panel discussions on Kurdish identity, language preservation and the role of women in Kurdish society have further enriched the festival experience. These conversations have brought together filmmakers, activists and scholars, fostering a deeper understanding of the Kurdish experience through the lens of cinema.
Since its inception, the New York Kur dish Film Festival has become an important platform for Kurdish filmmakers, providing them with a venue to share their stories with a wider audience. The event not only showcases the artistic achievements of Kurdish filmmakers, but also fosters dialogue between the Kurdish diaspora and other communities in New York.
As the festival draws to a close, the continued buzz around the city speaks to the success of this year’s edition, with audiences eagerly anticipating the remaining films and events.
For more information on the films still to be screened and the events planned for the final days, visit the festival’s official website or follow the festival’s social media pages for live updates.
