ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – More than 50 Kurdish short films will be streamed to your mobile phone later this month as this year’s edition of the London Kurdish Film Festival goes online.
In its 11th year, the LKFF has adapted to social distancing rules under the coronavirus pandemic and will live stream a festival “packed with quality content of Kurdish cinema” from filmmakers in all parts of Kurdistan and the diaspora, the festival stated.
LKFF opens with The Heavy Burden, from director Yilmaz Ozdil and tells the story of a family divided by the Turkey-Syria border.
“Almost sacred, this idea of a border imposes a national imaginary called national identity, according to which we define the "we" and "the other" through a sense of belonging monist,” Ozdil explained.
Beyond Borders is one of six themes the festival explores, as well as women, children, and war in film.
“Films are a powerful form of artistic expression. They reflect people’s and communities’ hopes, dreams, memories and collective conscience. It is for this reason that as a cinematic platform, the London Kurdish Film Festival carries great significance for the Kurdish society worldwide,” said festival organizers.
The festival will be streamed on YouTube beginning August 15 and wrapping up with an award ceremony on August 24.
