Vancouver is preparing for the second edition of its Kurdish Film Festival, showcasing the richness of Kurdish cinema and culture. Organizers selected 22 films from over 200 submissions to highlight Kurdish storytelling and language.
The festival will take place between October 17 and 19, with the 2025 theme titled “Mother Tongue.” This theme focuses on the role of women in shaping stories and preserving Kurdish culture through cinema. Audiences will explore narratives that reflect both traditional and contemporary Kurdish life, bridging generations and cultural experiences.
Festival director Rikan Sayda explained that the event aims to introduce Kurdish cinema to people from diverse backgrounds. Viewers can discover the depth of Kurdish art, language, and culture through short films and feature-length stories.
The films will compete for four awards: Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Jury Award, and Audience Award. The jury includes both Canadian and Kurdish filmmakers, ensuring a blend of international perspectives and cultural insight.
Local Kurdish businesspeople continue to support the festival, maintaining strong community involvement. Additionally, the Vancouver Mayor’s office has become a main sponsor this year, marking the first time the city formally supports the festival. This partnership reflects recognition of Kurdish cinema’s value in the city’s cultural landscape.
Kurdish film festivals are not limited to Vancouver. Communities in London, Berlin, Stockholm, Birmingham, and Hamburg also organize annual events that promote Kurdish films and connect diaspora communities worldwide.
Through these initiatives, Kurdish filmmakers share stories of identity, heritage, and resilience. The Vancouver festival provides a platform for emerging artists and strengthens cultural ties within the diaspora.