VIDEO: Syrian Kurds hold International Film Festival in Rojava

QAMISHLO, Syrian Kurdistan (Kurdistan24) – Amid the Syrian civil war, the Kurdish region of Syria (Rojava in Kurdish) held a film festival from April 17-22 in the country’s northeastern city of Qamishlo.

Kurdistan24 covered the event and interviewed members of the organizing committee of the festival in addition to film producers from several countries.

Under the slogan: “Cinema is a reflection of life and spirit of society,” the Cinema Club in Qamishlo held the first International Film Festival.

Dozens of films from about 10 countries participated in the festival, as this was one of the criteria which marked the festival as international.

The Children Cinema Group, which the Qamishlo Cinema Club pays particular attention to, was one of the surprises at the event.

Speaking to Kurdistan24, Selam Hasan, the Manager of the Qamishlo International Film Festival, said they did not gain any financial support from any organization.

“We are working independently from both cinema institutions of the regime, and the opposition as both of them are not accepted internationally, and they have not been recognized yet,” he said.

According to Hasan, in its first round, the occasion could be a base for a great festival in post-war Syria.

Hasan also pointed out they had been in contact with several film festivals and many other cultural events around the world.

“We have contacts with the Mawasim Festival in Paris, the Gulf festivals, and many other festivals in Europe,” he said.

Additionally, Jan Hasan, the Trainer of the Children Cinema Group, told Kurdistan24 about their new experience in youth cinema and theatre.

“The children have a theatre group now and are gaining cinema experiences as well,” he said.

In Rojava, cinema and theatre activities have developed tremendously.

However, some obstacles still prevent the progress of this art, such as the lack of well-equipped halls for cinema and the lack of text production by writers in the field of theatre and cinema.

Wazna Hamid, Head of the Writers’ Union of Syrian Kurdistan, told Kurdistan24 about the factors preventing the development of cultural and artistic activities in Rojava.

“There are many talents in the region who produce stories, novels, and many other texts, but the problem is they are poor and need financial support for their families,” she said.

About 60 films from countries like Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, and Ukraine participated in the festival.

Last month, the third annual festival of theater from March 27-April 4 was held in Rojava.

Despite the violence and devastating civil war in Syria, many cultural activities are organized every year in Rojava.

These events include the Rojava Short Story Festival in June, Afrin Short Film Festival in April, and Kurdish Language Day in May.

Additionally, Kurdish libraries and centers were created to provide social and artistic activities.

The Nahawand Center for Developing Children’s Talents in the Kurdish city of Amuda was established last year, and Rodî û Perwîn library in Kobani in May.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany 

(Additional reporting by Kurdistan24 correspondent in Qamishlo Dilovan Cheto)