LOS ANGELES KURDISH FILM FESTIVAL | MARCH 21 - 22 - 23
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LOS ANGELES KURDISH FILM FESTIVAL | MARCH 21 - 22 - 23 〰️
We’re thrilled to announce that the Los Angeles Kurdish Film Festival (LAKFF) will take place from March 21st to 23rd at the Frida Cinema. The festival will kick off on Newroz, the Kurdish New Year, with a special celebration of the holiday!
Join us for three days of powerful storytelling, showcasing a diverse lineup of films that explore the rich culture, history, and experiences of Kurdish communities both in Kurdistan and the diaspora. The festival will feature feature films, documentaries, and short films, offering unique insights into the Kurdish experience.
Come celebrate Newroz with us and experience the vibrant world of Kurdish cinema. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details on the film schedule and special events.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect with the Kurdish film community and explore stories that transcend borders!
Annabelle Kajbaf
We are beyond excited to have Annabelle Kajbaf as the host of this year’s Los Angeles Kurdish Film Festival!
Annabelle is a French-Kurdish journalist with a global career in sustainable fashion and cultural storytelling. Her work has been featured in major international publications, including The Guardian, Associated Press, NPR, BuzzFeed, Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam, and Cosmopolitan Bulgaria. As a press correspondent for France’s leading publisher, Bayard Presse, she continues to explore the intersections of fashion, ethics, and identity.
Photographer Reinhardt Kenneth
FILM
A vibrant cultural celebration showcasing the rich diversity of Kurdish stories from Kurdistan and the Kurdish diaspora. Through compelling films, this festival brings to light the complexities of Kurdish identity, history, and the ongoing struggles faced by Kurdish communities worldwide. With a diverse lineup of feature films, documentaries, and short films, LAKFF offers a platform for Kurdish filmmakers to share their voices, fostering dialogue and understanding around universal themes like displacement, resilience, and cultural preservation.
RISING VOICES
showcasing the powerful works of contemporary Kurdish artists. Explore art that embodies resilience, resistance, and the vibrant cultural heritage of the Kurdish people, while pushing boundaries and inspiring change.
THE BIG VILLAGE
A groundbreaking interactive documentary reconstructing a Kurdish peshmerga camp bombed into memory, exploring the community’s resilience and their dispersed lives. Directed by Beri Shalmashi
Big Village won the prestigious Dutch Zilveren Camera for Storytelling 2020 and was subsequently featured in the yearly exhibition in Musuem Hilversum. Big Village was also nominated for the Prix Europa for Media Projects 2021, as well as part of the official selection for the Nederlands Film Festival Interactive Competition, where it was presented as an installation.
ETAR POP-UP BAZAAR
Step into the Etar Pop-Up Bazaar, a vibrant showcase of handcrafted treasures by Kurdish designers from conflict zones and Kurdish creatives from across the globe. A celebration of resilience, culture, and artistic expression.
Inspired by the Etar, the legendary traveling merchants who once brought essential goods to remote villages.
Every purchase has purpose: 100% of proceeds will be donated to the Kurdish Red Cross, providing critical aid to communities in need. Shop with heart, support with impact.
DJ Workshop – Remixing Dengbej Storytelling
In this dynamic, hands-on session, participants will experiment with blending traditional Kurdish dengbêj storytelling songs with modern music genres. By fusing the old with the new, they’ll explore how different musical styles can come together to create fresh, innovative soundscapes that honor tradition while embracing modern creativity.
For centuries, dengbêj has been more than music—it was a way to preserve and pass down history, carrying the stories of a people through melody and voice. Now, this workshop reimagines that tradition, bridging past and present through the universal language of music.
11.30 - 12.30 - Saturday 22th March
Space is limited, registration required. Please email: sevil@creatingcreators.org
Traditional Kurdish Deq Tattoo Workshop
Elu, is a multi-disciplinary artist and humanitarian activist versed in traditional skin marking, visual arts and exploring various analog and digital practices.
Elu will unveil the rich history and deep cultural significance of Deq, exploring the powerful symbols that have preserved stories, identities, and heritage for generations. Each design carries a unique meaning, reflecting personal narratives, ancestral connections, and Kurdish identity.
After an inspiring introduction, participants will get a chance to experiment with Deq symbols, crafting their own visual stories and gaining a deeper appreciation for this timeless tradition.
11.30 - 12.30 - Sunday 23rd March
Space is limited, registration required. Please email: sevil@creatingcreators.org
Story Mapping Workshop
Participants will work together to create immersive stories by seamlessly combining film, photography, audio, and voice recordings. Through a hands-on approach, they will explore how different visual and auditory elements can be layered to enhance storytelling. Using a variety of digital tools, participants will craft unique narratives, capturing the emotion, depth, and essence of their stories through a fusion of images, sounds, and voices, bringing their creative visions to life.
10.00-11.00 am - 22nd and 23rd March
Space is limited, registration required. Please email: sevil@creatingcreators.org
The Los Angles Kurdish Film festival aims to bring the stories from Kurdistan and Kurdish communities in diaspora to Los Angeles. With a concept of regional, cross-border programming with issue-driven films that tell a larger story about the Kurdish people from all parts of Kurdistan and the diaspora for whom borders of all kinds are fluid and porous just as often as poisonous. By presenting multiple points of view from this region, the festival unlocks delicate doors into human existence, highlighting concerns of our time that resonate with audiences around the world. LAKFF aims to create more visibility and accessibility for Kurdish cinema in the Los Angeles film community.
LAKFF Producing Partner Creating Creators
Creating Creators is an innovative program dedicated to empowering emerging filmmakers, storytellers, and creative minds by providing them with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to bring their visions to life. Rooted in the belief that storytelling has the power to inspire change, the program nurtures young talent by bridging education with hands-on industry experience.
Through a combination of workshops, mentorship programs, and real-world collaborations, Creating Creators fosters diverse voices and encourages new perspectives in filmmaking. The initiative has played a crucial role in shaping the next generation of creatives, ensuring that underrepresented stories find their place on screen.
Cultural Community Partner
At the heart of The Frida Cinema’s mission is the belief that film has the power to connect, educate, and inspire—whether through groundbreaking independent cinema, international films, or retrospective screenings of cinema classics. As a cherished institution, The Frida Cinema continues to be an integral part of the local film community, offering a welcoming space for diverse and inclusive storytelling.
Supporting Partner
The London Kurdish Film Festival (LKFF), founded in 2001, is a pioneering platform for Kurdish cinema. Now in its 14th edition, it continues to showcase powerful films from Kurdistan and the diaspora, highlighting underrepresented voices and stories made under challenging conditions.