Festival features 108 local and international films and presents 25 awards
The sixth Sulaymaniyah International Film Festival concluded in Sulaymaniyah after seven days of screenings and events, with 108 local and international films competing under the theme “The Dignity of Humanity, the Dignity of Life.”
The festival aimed to support the development of Kurdish cinema and provide a platform for local and international filmmakers to present their work.
Roza Sheikhani, spokesperson for the festival, said more than 600 films from 23 countries had been submitted for this year’s edition. Of those, 108 films were selected for the competition sections, while nearly 250 filmmakers participated in the festival.
She said 25 awards were presented across several categories, including international feature film, best film, best director, best screenplay, best cinematography, best actor, best actress, jury award, best music, best sound design, national feature film, youth film, international documentary and international short film.
Among the awards, Salam Salawati received the Best Director and Best Screenplay awards for “In the Shadow.” Hawal Barako won Best Actor, while Kubra Meleki received Best Actress.
Babak Salawati and Amir Ali Waisi won Best Cinematography, while Shirin Yousif received the Best Sound Design award. The Jury Award went to “When the Dark Storm Rises” and “In the Shadow.” Varoujan Jandemir received the Best Music award.
The Best Local Documentary Film award was shared by “Woman, Life, Freedom” and “Where My Story Left Off.”
The film “Just As We Breathe” received several awards, including Best Director, Best Film and a share of the International Feature Film award alongside “Violent Unrest.”
The Peace and Coexistence Award went to “Niqab,” while “The Husband” received the Jury Award. “Night Torment” won Best International Documentary Film, and “My Mother’s Daughter” received Best International Short Film.
“Stealing the Painting” was named Best Youth Film, while Sherko Khanzadi won the Best Poster award.
The seventh-day festival brought together filmmakers, actors, artists and cinema audiences in Sulaymaniyah, continuing the festival’s role in promoting Kurdish cinema and creating opportunities for cultural and artistic exchange.