Slemani Film Festival Opens Sixth Edition Under “Human Dignity”
At a Glance
- The sixth Slemani International Film Festival runs under the theme “Human Dignity.”
- More than 650 films from 31 countries were submitted, with 108 films from 22 countries selected.
- Organizers say the festival is operating on a budget of less than 500 million IQD.
The sixth edition of the Slemani International Film Festival officially begins on September 9 after completing its administrative and technical preparations. The festival, held under the theme “Human Dignity,” will continue through September 15.
Key Statements and Focus Area
- International Participation: The selection committee chose 108 films from 22 countries following a review of more than 650 submissions. Most of the selected films will compete for official festival awards.
- Regional Cinema Heritage: Artistic Director Halgurd Saleh announced support for Hawar Film’s initiative to designate September 9 as Kurdish Cinema Day.
- Festival Budget: Festival Director Fuad Jalal said the festival’s budget is below 500 million IQD. He noted that this is lower than the budgets of other regional festivals, which typically range between 750 million and 800 million IQD.
A poster competition themed around “Human Dignity” is also part of this year’s program.
The opening and closing ceremonies will be held at Talari Hunar at 6:30 PM. Daily film screenings will take place at City Cinema in Slemani.
The festival’s educational program includes four specialized panels beginning at 10:00 AM each day, along with a masterclass and an open panel discussion.
The opening day also coincides with the 42nd anniversary of the death of Kurdish film director Yilmaz Guney.
Around 250 guests are expected to participate in the festival. The program includes guided excursions and opportunities for local filmmakers to develop production partnerships with foreign producers.
During the selection process, organizers applied strict evaluation criteria. Accepted films were required to comply with national security considerations and avoid negative impacts on public education and upbringing.
The festival has also invited foreign journalists, international producers, business investors, and six prominent directors from major European film festivals. Organizers say coverage from foreign media outlets is intended to strengthen the festival’s international presence and encourage greater international attendance in future editions.
The sixth edition combines film screenings with educational programming, professional networking, and cultural activities. Organizers are also seeking to strengthen Kurdish cinema’s regional heritage and expand the festival’s international reach.
FYI
First launched in 2016, the Slemani International Film Festival was established to bridge the gap between global cinema and the Kurdistan Region. Hosted in Slemani, long celebrated as the cultural capital of Kurdistan, the festival began as a modest four-day event but quickly expanded to a comprehensive one-week format as international participation multiplied.
Architected around a dual-competition structure, it evaluates films across two major branches: World Cinema and Kurdish Cinema, the latter serving as a crucial stateless platform to unify and honor Kurdish filmmakers producing works across Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria.
Over the years, the festival has used thematic anchors to address global and cultural themes, ranging from ecological awareness to its focus on the preservation of national heritage and mother tongue, solidifying its reputation as the largest and most influential cinematic gateway in Iraq.
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