The 11th edition of the Duhok International Film Festival began on Monday at the University of Duhok, bringing together filmmakers, artists, and cinema enthusiasts from across the globe. The week-long event aims to celebrate cinematic excellence and bridge the gap between Kurdish directors and the global film community.

This year’s festival features 107 films from 31 countries, showcasing a diverse range of cinematic styles and storytelling perspectives. Seven of these films, selected from a pool of 570 submissions, will compete for the festival’s grand prize of $10,000.

"A large group of volunteers and staff from the festival have worked day and night so that their preparations and results come to this day," said Majid Mohammed, Head of the Arabic Section of the Duhok International Film Festival. He highlighted the wide range of guests attending, including filmmakers, critics, and cultural figures from the Kurdistan Region, Iraqi cities such as Mosul and Baghdad, as well as countries in Europe, America, Asia, and Africa.

The festival pays tribute to Yılmaz Güney, the Kurdish director who won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1982. This homage is part of a broader effort to connect Kurdish filmmakers with the international film community and promote Kurdish cinema on the world stage.

Amir Ali, president of the festival, revealed that this year's event marks a shift in the festival's vision and strategy. "Our plan for this year and the next revolves around what we can do for future generations," Ali stated. "We want the audience of the next generations to see in a new way. This year, we have made changes in attitude and format."

The Duhok International Film Festival has grown into one of the most prominent cultural events in the Kurdistan Region, offering a platform for filmmakers to present their work and engage with audiences and industry professionals. The festival continues to inspire new generations of Kurdish filmmakers while strengthening ties between the region’s film industry and the global cinematic community.