The Kurdistan Regional Government Representation in the United States was proud to support the opening night of the 10th New York Kurdish Film Festival, joining filmmakers, artists, community members, and guests in celebrating a decade of Kurdish cinema and storytelling in New York.
As a proud sponsor of the festival, KRG-US Representative H.E. Treefa Aziz delivered remarks recognizing the filmmakers, directors, actors, producers, artists, organizers, volunteers, and audiences who have helped the festival grow over the past ten years.
In her remarks, Representative Aziz reflected on the longstanding role of storytelling in Kurdish culture. For generations, Kurdish history, identity, and traditions have been preserved through oral traditions, music, poetry, celebrations, gatherings, hospitality, and community. She described Kurdish cinema as a continuation of that tradition, one that is increasingly reaching international audiences as Kurdish filmmakers work across borders, tell stories in multiple languages, and contribute to the broader landscape of world cinema.
Representative Aziz also highlighted the importance of Kurdish film festivals, both in Kurdistan and throughout the diaspora, in creating opportunities for Kurdish films and filmmakers to reach new audiences. This year’s festival theme, “Woven Across Borders, United Through Cinema,” reflected that growing international connection and the ability of film to bring together communities, generations, and audiences across geographic boundaries.
Opening night featured a screening of Singing Wings, directed by Hemen Khaledi, as part of a broader festival program showcasing Kurdish filmmakers and stories from across Kurdistan and the diaspora.
Representative Aziz emphasized that supporting cultural initiatives such as the New York Kurdish Film Festival is also an investment in preserving memory, expressing identity, and strengthening connections between Kurdistan and the wider world.
The Representation was proud to support the New York Kurdish Cultural Center, and its President and Co-director, Ms. Xeyal Qertel, for their continued dedication to Kurdish arts, culture and cinema. The Representation congratulates the Center, participating filmmakers, and organizers on the festival’s 10th anniversary and looks forward to the continued growth of Kurdish cinema and storytelling on the international stage.
