14th London Kurdish Film Festival (LKFF) Official Trailer

Описание: THE LONDON KURDISH FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO PICTUREHOUSE & RIO
London, [14/03/2025] – The 14th London Kurdish Film Festival (LKFF) is set to return this April, once again bringing an extraordinary celebration of Kurdish cinema to two of London's most iconic venues: Picturehouse and Rio. Running from April 25th to May 3rd, 2025, this year’s festival promises an immersive experience featuring powerful films, thought-provoking discussions, and exclusive in-person events.

Festival Highlights
In-Person Engagement
Audiences will have a unique opportunity to connect with renowned filmmakers, acclaimed actors, and influential artists through engaging Q&A sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and special events designed to foster a deeper understanding of Kurdish cinema and culture.

Festival Gala and Opening Film
The festival will kick off with an opening gala and film screening of Hisham Zaman’s A Happy Day on April 25th, setting the stage for nine days of cinematic excellence. The festival will conclude on May 3rd with Manal Masri’s poignant film, Touching Freedom—an emotional and thought-provoking finale to the event.

Diverse Program Sections
This year, LKFF proudly presents a selection of films from across all four parts of Kurdistan, curated into four compelling themes:
Bits and Pieces: Kurdistan on the Spot
New Faces of Urban: Kurdish Shorts
Camera on the Move: New Kurdish Documentaries and Female Narration
Beyond Borders: A Journey for All

Panels & Workshop
This year’s festival will feature insightful discussions and interactive sessions, including:
Panel 1: Reclaiming (Mother) Land – A Conversation with Kurdish Women Directors
Panel 2: In Between Aesthetics – Documentary and Resilience (moderated by Bahar Simsek Day)
Animating Kurdish Stories: A Virtual Workshop by F. Nur Ozkaya - 14th LKFF trailer maker

Insights from Festival Leadership
Festival Co-Director Shler Murdochy shared:
"Art and stories are the journey that takes the mind and soul to the farthest corners of the world, connecting us all. Once again, the vibrant fest of Kurdish films and filmmakers is brought forth through a celebration of culture, history, and arts. With diverse voices and perspectives, they stitch together the four parts of Kurdistan, just like a gentle rain nourishes the land and mends its deep cracks. They quench the thirst of a community eager to share with the world their untold stories of resistance and revolution—a revolution led by women who are calling for change, justice, and a world where freedom is not a dream but a reality"

Festival Co-Director Ferhan Sterk added:
“I always believed a revolution starts in the imagination, and the films are the fuel that drives change. Kurdish Cinema has many challenges ahead, but Kurdish filmmakers go beyond and above to tell their stories, bringing them to your doorstep with resilience and vision”

About LKFF
Founded in 2001, the London Kurdish Film Festival (LKFF) is the largest festival of its kind, showcasing films from Kurdistan and beyond to London audiences. Entirely managed and produced by volunteers, LKFF has grown significantly over the years, evolving into a leading platform for Kurdish and non-Kurdish filmmakers alike.
At its core, LKFF believes in the power of cinema as a tool for self-expression, cultural dialogue, and empowerment. The festival provides a crucial platform for films that highlight the untold stories and experiences of Kurdish people worldwide, regardless of genre or style.
As a key bridge between Kurdish cinema and international audiences, LKFF not only brings together films from across the Middle East, including Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, but also fosters cross-cultural dialogue between Middle Eastern and Western audiences in the UK. The festival remains committed to supporting and rewarding exceptional Kurdish talent while contributing to the continued growth of the Kurdish film industry.

Trailer Producer: F. Nur Ozkaya
Artistic Statement
This teaser is not merely a festival invitation but an echo of existence. Stacked houses, shepherds rooted yet wandering, celebrations circling the fire—all pulsate within the memory of a people. Time flows through oil-painted textures, carrying the indelible traces of Kurdish culture.

This piece is the voice of an identity resisting erasure, a moment suspended between exile and belonging. Here, cinema is not just a medium of storytelling but a way of remembering—and being remembered.

Music: Special thanks to Yunus Dişkaya for his beautiful song Min Ber Bi Welêt Bimale, which we had the honor of using in the trailer. We deeply appreciate his artistry and contribution to this project.

Follow LKFF for Updates:
📌 Facebook: @londonkurdishfilmfestival
🎥 YouTube: @londonkurdishfilmfestival
📸 Instagram: @lkff
🐦 Twitter: @lkff
For Interviews or further information please contact us on [email protected]