The Kurdistan Film Fund is a regional funding initiative dedicated to supporting independent filmmaking from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the wider Kurdish diaspora. Established under the Kurdistan Regional Government, the fund provides financial support across development, production, and post-production, with a focus on stories that reflect Kurdish identity, history, and contemporary realities. Since its launch, the fund has backed a growing slate of projects that have gone on to screen at major international festivals, contributing to the rising global visibility of Kurdish cinema. By supporting both emerging and established filmmakers, the Kurdistan Film Fund plays a key role in nurturing new voices and strengthening the region’s film ecosystem.
Global Launch at Cannes: The Kurdistan Film Commission is holding a historic event titled ‘Owning our Story’ at this year’s Marché du Film to officially open the fund to international co-productions and collaborations.
Operational Readiness: The fund became fully active in early 2026, transitioning from government-based support to a strategic financing model based on private donations to reduce bureaucracy.
Categories of Support: The fund now offers specific grants for script development, short films, and full-scale production. While it prioritizes local spending to boost the domestic industry, it uniquely allows funding for international distribution and post-production.
Capacity Building: In partnership with EAVE, the fund hosted the EAVE on Demand Workshop in December 2025. This program trained Kurdish producers on international financing sources and successful funding applications.
12th Duhok International Film Festival: The fund supported a diverse lineup of 110 films from 57 countries, with a special focus on films addressing climate change and Kurdish identity.
Kurdish Film Representation: Fund-supported documentaries like SINGING WINGS and VEJÎNA KURD have begun circulating in international and online festivals, such as the Zagros Film Festival 2026.
Birmingham Kurdish Film Festival: The fund has been a key advisor for the launch of the first edition of the festival in May 2026, which is expected to showcase 350 Kurdish films from the diaspora.
