Birmingham Kurdish Film Festival Finalizes Film Lineup

[Anthea]

Birmingham Kurdish Film Festival

The Birmingham Kurdish Film Festival has reached a major milestone in its preparations, with the selection committee reviewing around 350 Kurdish films from across all parts of Kurdistan and the diaspora

The festival is set to officially launch in February 2026 and will feature eight awards for winning films in various categories.

Speaking to Kurdistan 24, Film director and selection committee member Adnan Osman expressed his excitement about the festival’s progress. “I am part of the film selection committee for the Birmingham Kurdish Film Festival, alongside several dear artists. Our work is nearing completion, and so far, we have viewed approximately 350 Kurdish films from all parts of Kurdistan and abroad,” he said.

Osman described the experience as both creatively enriching and highly rewarding. “Participating in these festivals is an important and enjoyable experience for me because we don’t just see the films that are screened, but all the submitted works,” he noted. “We are the last filter before the selected films reach the audience. Seeing un-screened films is a beautiful and rare feeling that is not easily obtained.”

Having served previously as the jury head at the Kobani Festival for short films, he said watching hundreds of entries ranging from international productions to regional films was “an enjoyable time and a great lesson.”

Osman emphasized that the committee’s work is guided by academic standards to ensure fairness. “No film’s right is lost. But sometimes the competition level is so strong that only very good films can reach the final stage. Sometimes, if high-quality films are scarce in a section, moderate films are also given a chance.”

Reflecting on the collaborative effort behind the festival, he highlighted the volunteer-driven passion that has defined the organizing team. “What makes me very happy about the Birmingham Festival is the voluntary spirit and dedication that a group of experienced filmmakers possess. When we, like dervishes, work day and night just to give our festival a more beautiful face, and then receive appreciation from journalists and viewers, we feel an unparalleled sense of satisfaction.”

He praised the professionalism of festival directors and noted that no pressure has ever been placed on the committee to favor certain films. The festival applies an advanced evaluation system overseen by artists Karo Aziz and Sattar Chamani Ghol, which directly generates the final results after scoring, he added.

Osman concluded by expressing optimism about the future of Kurdish cinema: “I am happy that Kurdish films and festivals are witnessing significant progress and flourishing day by day.”

With film viewing now complete, final decisions on the selected films will be announced following the committee’s last phase of deliberations.

Kurdish cinema has expanded rapidly in recent decades, gaining recognition at regional and international film festivals. Major Kurdish cultural hubs such as Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Diyarbakir, and Berlin regularly host film events showcasing works that focus on Kurdish identity, history, language, war, displacement, and resilience.

The establishment of the Birmingham Kurdish Film Festival marks a significant step in strengthening Kurdish cultural presence in Europe — especially in the United Kingdom, where a sizable Kurdish community has been active in arts, media, and cultural advocacy.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/900667