Cast members and the production crew gathered in Erbil on Saturday for the red-carpet premiere of Mali Nene. The high-profile promotional event highlights growing commercial interest in locally produced Kurdish films.
Director Muhammad Mustafa oversaw the creative process for the drama, which was produced on a total budget of $200,000. Producer Bahoz Nasraddin confirmed that theaters sold more than 4,300 tickets during the first two days of screenings.
The film’s promotional campaign began in Sulaimani on August 26 before expanding to additional cinemas across the region. Cinema operators in Erbil, Sulaimani, Duhok, Kirkuk, and Kalar recorded more than 2,300 viewers on Friday alone.
Lead actor Sirwan Jamal, who portrays the grandfather in the film, praised the project for presenting important educational themes for families. Meanwhile, child actor Zin Rawez expressed his excitement over the enthusiastic response from young audiences.
Film industry analysts view the strong box-office performance as a promising milestone for investment in the region’s entertainment industry. Continued commercial success could encourage private investors to support additional cultural and cinematic projects across the Kurdistan Region.
The film’s story appeals to audiences across different generations by portraying authentic social dynamics, shared heritage, and traditional values. Media sponsors and local promotional partners also provided important marketing support throughout the film’s initial release.
Mali Nene continues its daily theatrical run at Empire Cinema, City Cinema, Cinema Max, and Cinema Aran. Moving forward, producers plan to extend screening schedules from the afternoon until midnight to accommodate growing audience demand.