The First Birmingham Kurdish Film Festival was held in Birmingham, United Kingdom, featuring 33 Kurdish films, with awards presented across multiple categories.
Shahin Sabir, spokesperson of the festival, stated that this year’s edition included 33 participating films, among them three feature films and two animated works, while most of the entries were in the drama genre. He noted that this reflects the continued growth of Kurdish cinema and the expanding presence of Kurdish filmmakers beyond national borders.
At the conclusion of the festival, which featured competition among Kurdish and international films, eight main awards were distributed. The Best Film award went to “Lemon Knows Everything.” In the directing category, Yakup received the Best Director award for “Mori.” The Best Cinematography award was presented to Mohammad Reza Sajedi for “Moon House.” In the acting category, Maryam Bubani won Best Actress for her role in “Son.”
Sabir also announced additional winners in other categories. Mahir Hassan received Best Actor for his performance in “Zhan,” while Layla Bagh Pira won Best Screenplay for “Zhan.” The Best Sound Design award went to “Anita is Lost in the News,” and the Best Editing award was presented to “Geran.”
The festival brought together filmmakers, artists, and cinema enthusiasts, serving as a platform to promote Kurdish cinematic productions and strengthen connections between Kurdish filmmakers and international audiences.
