The spring season of the “Cinema and Audience” project, organised by the Erbil Cinema Directorate, is set to begin at Empire Cinema in Erbil, marking the return of one of the city’s cultural initiatives after a temporary pause.
Shakhawan Mustafa, Director of Erbil Cinema, said the programme is resuming after interruptions caused first by the month of Ramadan and later by regional tensions and instability.
“We have decided to restart the Cinema and Audience project in the spring season as our first activity, and we will continue it,” he said.
This week’s opening event will feature a screening of Simay Kholmesh, directed by Shakhawan Idris and starring a number of prominent Kurdish actors.
According to Mustafa, the film presents a powerful story set during the era of the former Iraqi regime, highlighting the suffering endured by the Kurdish people through displacement, the Anfal campaign, and genocide.
The story follows a Kurdish soldier returning from the Iran-Iraq War who, after an identity mix-up, is mistakenly recognised as another person. The film explores themes of war, religion, culture, and their lasting impact on Kurdish society, while also offering social and political criticism.
Mustafa said productions of this kind are important in encouraging dialogue and preserving historical memory through cinema.
He added that the project welcomes all members of society, regardless of background or nationality, reflecting Kurdistan’s message of coexistence.
“Our doors are open to everyone with an artistic project, especially in film, and we aim to serve all artists equally,” he said.
