The Kurdish short film “The Sea of Hope,” directed by Jubrael Abubakr, has been nominated for an award at the second edition of Iran’s International Open-Air Environmental Film Festival.
Abubakr said 1,994 films participated in the festival, including 1,318 international entries. Thirteen films advanced to the competition round, with “The Sea of Hope” selected among the final three nominees alongside “Half” from Spain and “Yeksha,” filmed on a river in China.
The film explores the impact of war on civilians, focusing on the emotional and physical consequences of forced displacement. It follows people fleeing their homes through dangerous routes, facing death and drowning as they search for safety and dignity.
The festival is distinguished by its open-air screenings in natural settings. It brings together cinema, nature, tourism and environmental issues, while providing opportunities for filmmakers from Iran and other countries to exchange ideas and experiences.
Festival themes include travel and road films, tourism, adventure and nature travel, environmental protection, local communities, and the relationship between people and nature.
The nomination gives “The Sea of Hope” an opportunity to represent Kurdish cinema on a broader regional and international festival stage.
