Women’s first film festival concludes in Syria’s Qamishli
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The first edition of the Nujiyan Women’s Film Festival concluded on Saturday evening in the city of Qamishli, northeastern Syria, following a week of film screenings and diverse cultural events.
The festival showcased 40 films created by women from Syria and around the world, making it the first event of its kind in North and East Syria.
The festival’s name, “Nujiyan,” meaning “new life” in Kurdish, honors the memory of Nujiyan Arhan, a Kurdish filmmaker and fighter who lost her life in the Sinjar (Shengal) region of Iraq during the Islamic State’s assault, which led to the abduction, murder, and enslavement of thousands of Yazidi women, men, and children.
Held in Azadi Park on the outskirts of Qamishli, the festival featured documentaries, feature-length films, and short films.
Alongside the screenings, audiences engaged with panel discussions, lectures on women’s roles in cinema, educational workshops, and exhibitions of video and photography showcasing women’s creative work.
Safinaz Avdeki, Kurdish filmmaker from Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) with multiple European film participations and a member of the festival’s organizing committee, described the public turnout as “remarkably strong—far exceeding expectations,” especially given that it was the festival’s inaugural edition.
“North and East Syria is known around the world as the birthplace of a women-led revolution,” Afdaki told North Press. “The global community recognizes the significance of women in this region, particularly Kurdish women.”
She noted that around 90 percent of the screened films came from outside the region, featuring powerful stories of women from Afghanistan, Iran, Colombia, Ukraine, and beyond.
The closing ceremony featured artistic performances and a special appearance by renowned Kurdish opera singer Mezgin Taher.
Organizers plan to make the Nujiyan Women’s Film Festival an annual event, with the goal of highlighting and supporting women directors and filmmakers from across the globe.