The eighth edition of the New York Kurdish Film Festival is scheduled to take place on October 12-19, 2024, and showcase films from different parts of Kurdistan.

This year’s festival “embraces a powerful and timely theme: Freedom of Expression in the Mother Tongue,” the brochure of the festival reads.

“The eighth edition of the festival aims to spotlight the rich diversity of Kurdish voices, stories, and experiences, emphasizing the importance of preserving and promoting the Kurdish language as a tool for cultural identity and self-expression. As language is the lifeblood of any culture, the festival will explore the role of Kurdish as a means of resilience, resistance, and creativity in the face of historical and ongoing challenges.”

Xeyal Qertel, the festival’s director, told Kurdistan Chronicle that “the festival is eight days long to celebrate its eighth edition. The theme is the freedom of expression in the mother tongue of Kurdish.”

“The film categories are short, feature, documentary, animation, and students. Our motto is Love Kurds, Learn Kurdish. Among our sponsors are Columbia University Middle Eastern Studies, NYU Middle Eastern Studies, Justice for Kurds, and a dozen others.”

In addition to showcasing a selection of groundbreaking Kurdish films that highlight this theme, the festival will offer panel discussions, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and community-driven events aimed at fostering dialogue on the vital connection between language and freedom. 

Moreover, the opening reception will feature traditional Kurdish cuisine, including Kurdish tea, providing a taste of Kurdish culture for local attendees.

Read More: Celebrating Kurdish Culture: The 7th New York Kurdish Film Festival

Established in 2017, the festival is organized by the New York Kurdish Cultural Center, which focuses on promoting Kurdish heritage through a variety of activities throughout the year. Alongside the festival, the center offers weekly Kurdish language classes for both children and adults, and a monthly book and cinema club.

The center also organizes annual events, such as the Kurdish Heritage Month Celebration in March and Seva Zistane in December.