Amsterdam to Host 4th Kurdish Film Festival with Over 32 Films and Cultural Events
Beyond film, the festival will feature a vibrant cultural program packed with music performances, traditional Kurdish song and dance, and in-depth discussions about the future of Kurdish cinema.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The city of Amsterdam is set to host the fourth edition of the annual three-day Amsterdam Kurdish Film Festival (AKFF) from May 9 to 11, 2025, featuring more than 32 Kurdish films alongside panels, cultural events, and networking opportunities for filmmakers from around the world.
On Wednesday, La Media Company—the festival’s main partner—announced that this year's AKFF will present a diverse selection of over 32 films across four categories. In addition to film screenings, the three-day event will feature panel discussions, cultural exhibitions, and roundtables aimed at bringing together Kurdish filmmakers and industry professionals.
The festival is designed not only to showcase cinematic creativity but also to empower emerging voices in Kurdish cinema. AKFF’s academic arm will host special initiatives to support young Kurdish talent. These include opportunities for aspiring filmmakers to develop their film projects under the mentorship of experienced directors, with the added incentive of a financial prize to help fund their films.
La Media also emphasized the festival’s role in elevating new Kurdish voices in cinema, providing a launchpad for aspiring directors and screenwriters to connect with a broader international audience. The AKFF Academy initiative will offer guidance and resources to help these talents shape and share their stories on screen.
Beyond film, the festival will feature a vibrant cultural program packed with music performances, traditional Kurdish song and dance, and in-depth discussions about the future of Kurdish cinema. Ten prominent Kurdish filmmakers from across the globe are expected to participate in the event, sharing insights into their latest work and engaging in dialogue about the evolution of Kurdish film.
The Amsterdam Kurdish Film Festival has become an increasingly important platform for Kurdish cinema, which has often struggled to find space in mainstream international film circuits due to political and cultural marginalization. Over the past decade, Kurdish filmmakers from the Kurdistan Region, Turkey, Iran, Syria, and the diaspora have gained recognition for telling deeply personal and politically charged stories, often focusing on identity, displacement, resilience, and resistance.
Film festivals like AKFF are playing a crucial role in preserving and promoting Kurdish language, culture, and narratives—especially at a time when freedom of expression remains under pressure in many parts of the Middle East. The event not only strengthens cultural ties among the global Kurdish community but also serves as a powerful reminder of the region’s rich artistic heritage.
