Bayan Salah’s “Jhanwar” brings Kurdish stories and women’s voices to the world stage
Kurdish filmmaker Bayan Salah has achieved a significant milestone at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, earning international attention for her documentary project Jhanwar and highlighting the growing presence of Kurdish cinema on the global stage.
The Erbil-born director’s film, which is still in production, was selected for Cannes’ Spotlight Projects program—an exclusive section that showcases promising film projects from around the world. Only 11 projects were chosen for this year’s program, placing Jhanwar among the festival’s most notable emerging works.
The selection generated strong interest from major production companies in Britain, France, the Netherlands, and the United States, many of which expressed interest in partnering on the project.
According to Salah, one of the most surprising aspects for international filmmakers was the portrayal of Kurdish women in the documentary. She explained that many directors were amazed by the confidence, independence, and authenticity of the women featured in the film, challenging common stereotypes about women in the Middle East.
To fully tell the story, Salah learned the Kurmanji dialect despite being a Sorani speaker from Erbil. She said mastering the language allowed her to build deeper connections with the women whose lives are documented in the film.
Salah also took on the role of cinematographer, filming the documentary herself. Encouraged by the women of Jhanwar village to learn every aspect of the filmmaking process, she embraced the challenge and completed the project as both director and camera operator.
Her participation formed part of an unprecedented Kurdish presence at Cannes this year. For the first time, more than 50 Kurdish filmmakers, actors, and media professionals attended the festival, creating new opportunities for international collaboration and visibility.
Looking ahead, Salah hopes her experience will inspire more Kurdish women to enter the film industry and share their stories with global audiences.