The 5th Sulaymaniyah International Film Festival represented more than cinema — it was a symbol of cultural resilience. In a region often associated with political turmoil, this festival reaffirmed that the Kurdish people’s creativity and spirit are unbreakable. The festival’s continued growth shows how cinema can become a unifying force in divided times — a way for a community to assert its identity and participate in the global cultural dialogue.
As the curtains closed on the 5th edition, organizers announced that the 6th Sulaymaniyah International Film Festival would aim to expand partnerships with other world festivals and introduce new awards for environmental and human rights films. The goal is to continue positioning Sulaymaniyah as a cultural capital of Kurdish cinema — a place where stories from the mountains, villages, and cities of Kurdistan can stand shoulder to shoulder with world cinema.
