Actress and theatre artist Soma Qasim hails from Sulaymaniyah and has become one of the city’s respected figures in performing arts. She graduated from the theatre department at the Sulaymaniyah Institute of Fine Arts in 2007, though her first acting experience dates back to 2003 in Chekhov’s play Seagull. During her time at the institute, she participated in numerous artistic activities, both inside and outside the school. In a recent interview, she spoke about the challenges of pursuing artistic work, noting that women often face even greater obstacles.
As an actress, Soma Qasim has performed in five theatrical productions, and her work extends beyond the stage. She has participated in dubbing projects and performed in street theatre in Sulaymaniyah to advocate for women’s rights and freedoms. After finishing her studies, she paused her acting career until 2011, when she joined the “Ba” theatre troupe in the play Awaken from the Magic Desert Spirit. She later appeared in Drought and Lies (2014), Hamlet (2014), and Goodbye Until I Don’t Know When (2016).
When the Film Production Department opened for the first time at the College of Fine Arts at the University of Sulaymaniyah, experienced artists, including Qasim, were invited to continue their cinema education. During her four years in the program, she acted in two short films: Pearl Necklace, directed by Dana Karim, which focused on the role of Peshmerga fighters in western Kurdistan, and Stay Silent, directed by Awat Osman. Both films participated in domestic and international festivals and won several awards.
Discussing her preference between theatre and cinema, Soma Qasim said she loves both forms, but theatre remains her priority. “Until now, I’ve been approached for several TV dramas, but I have never been interested in drama work,” she explained. “For cinema, if a good script and a capable director come my way, I will happily participate. I enjoy acting in front of the camera, but theatre always comes first for me.”
Regarding what defines a good actress or actor, Qasim emphasized: “A good actor/actress must have a strong body and voice, solid knowledge of life and acting, and the ability to read and understand scripts. They should present both realistic and classical theatre convincingly, with imagination and readiness, without relying entirely on the director.”
Reflecting on the state of theatre and cinema today, she noted that both have seen significant progress, with talented young artists raising standards in production and acting. At the same time, she acknowledged the challenges women face in the arts. “Women must balance social expectations, family responsibilities, and artistic work. The goal is to create meaningful art without harming yourself or your surroundings, while maintaining financial and personal stability,” she said.
