The second edition highlights youth creativity, with 15 selected films competing out of nearly 200 submissions.
The second edition of the Kurdish Mobile Film Festival was held in Sulaymaniyah at City Cinema, bringing together young filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts in a growing celebration of mobile-based storytelling. The festival featured 15 selected films that competed for this year’s awards.
According to festival spokesperson Shadman Salih, nearly 200 films were submitted from across the region and beyond. After a detailed evaluation process by the jury, only 15 works were selected for the final competition and award consideration.
Salih said the festival plays an important role in developing Kurdish cinema by encouraging the use of mobile phones as accessible creative tools, especially for young people who are increasingly capable of producing visual content without the need for expensive equipment.
He added that the festival awarded 11 prizes this year, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Film Score, and a Special Jury Award. A special recognition award was also presented by the festival committee to one outstanding work.
Alongside the competition, the festival organized workshops and training sessions focused on mobile filmmaking. These sessions introduced participants to the basics of screenwriting, directing, filming, and editing using mobile devices, helping to build practical skills for emerging filmmakers.
Organizers emphasized that such festivals contribute significantly to the growth of Kurdish cinema by expanding access to filmmaking and encouraging a new generation of creators to enter the industry through modern, affordable technology.
The second edition of the Kurdish Mobile Film Festival concluded after two days of screenings and activities at City Cinema in Sulaymaniyah, marking another step in the development of grassroots filmmaking in the Kurdistan Region.