Duhok International film festival kicks off with 107 films

DUHOK — The 11th Duhok International Film Festival commenced on Monday, featuring 107 films. The lineup includes 46 Kurdish productions, and will run for eight days. Several regional stars of cinema have been invited to participate in the event.

The festival will open at in the conference hall on the University of Duhok campus. Hasan Arif, the festival’s media spokesperson, told 964media, “The festival will span eight days, showcasing 107 films that include short, feature, and documentary productions. This year, sports are a central theme due to the significant sports-related events and stories witnessed this year.”

For the first time, feature films will be simultaneously screened in both Duhok and Zakho, with screenings in Zakho continuing for six days. Renowned actors and figures from Europe, the Arab world, Turkey, and Iran have been invited, including Egyptian star Elham Shahein.

According to festival organizers, Shahein is making her first visit to the Kurdistan Region. In a video statement, she expressed her excitement, saying, “I am honored and thrilled to visit Kurdistan for the first time.”