Seven competition sections covering national and international feature films, short films, documentaries, youth-films. Official competition had 19 awards across various categories (national & international) such as Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Leading Actor/Actress. Opening ceremony at the University of Sulaimani Conference Hall; live music performance at the ceremony. Side-programmes included discussion panels (on women in cinema, funding, cultural identity) and an exhibition of ceramic art.
The festival underscores the growth of Kurdish cinema and cultural expression through film. As one juror commented, it “brings people together” and helps preserve Kurdish language and heritage. Honorary awards were given to key figures promoting culture and Kurdish cinema: e.g., the Ahmet Kaya Award to Turkish sociologist Ismail Beşikçi, Taha Karimi Award to Mam Pola, Martyr Parcham Award to actress Zhyan Ibrahim-Khayat, and Shkomandi Award to artist Bijan Kamkar.
