The seventh edition of the Kobani International Film Festival, held under the slogan “Cinema Is Memory,” took place at Schauburg Filmpalast cinema in Germany, with eight major awards presented to participating filmmakers.
Cengo Sherif, director of the Kobani International Film Festival, said this year’s edition received an unprecedented response, with 913 films from 102 countries submitted to the festival.
“Of this large number, 75 films were selected for the official competition, while 35 films were ultimately screened during the festival,” Sherif said.
He added that eight major awards were presented at the conclusion of the seventh edition, recognising achievements in different areas of filmmaking.
The awards included Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best International Film, Best Screenplay, Best Kurdish Film, Best Documentary Film, and Best Animated Film.
Sherif said the Best Film award went to “The Last One,” produced by Elvis Jiji, François Estrada, Jean Villeneuve, and Marie Villeneuve. Michel Denka received the Best Director award for “Call of Distress,” while Marta Sutor won Best Actor for “Connection.”
The Best International Film award went to Gianna Badiali for “Three Mornings,” while Telia Petraki received the Best Screenplay award for “400 Cast.”
The Best Kurdish Film award was presented to “A House Built,” directed by Rojda Azgi Oral. “The Corpse of Darin,” directed by Sadiq Kazimi, received the Best Documentary Film award, while Malik Aqbali’s “Friend as Friend, Gazelle as Gazelle” won Best Animated Film.
The seventh edition of the Kobani International Film Festival opened on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Schauburg Filmpalast cinema in Germany and continued for three days, featuring films from around the world.
