This documentary offers a glimpse into life in Jinwar, the world’s only ecologically managed women’s village. Established in a war-torn region, Jinwar provides a safe, self-sufficient community where women from diverse backgrounds can live free from violence. Built by women, for women, the village fosters resilience, independence, and solidarity, offering its residents the chance to rebuild their lives and shape a future on their own terms.

This film will be presented in its original Kurdish language with English subtitles.

The Los Angeles Kurdish Film Festival (LAKFF) is 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.

This program is a venue rental engagement. Member discounts and Frida Cinema comp passes not valid. The views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of The Frida Cinema or its staff.

Johan Grimonprez’s Soundtrack to a Coup d’État is a gripping documentary that examines the intersection of music, politics, and Cold War-era power struggles in Africa.

The film explores the 1961 assassination of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba, revealing how Western governments —particularly the U.S. and Belgium — manipulated political events to maintain control over Africa’s resources. Against this backdrop of covert operations and geopolitical maneuvering, the documentary highlights the role of jazz musicians, such as Louis Armstrong, who were sent as cultural ambassadors, often unknowingly aiding in political cover-ups.

Winners, the new film from filmmaker Soleen Yusef, is making its way to The Los Angeles Kurdish Film Festival! This screening is also co-presented by The Goethe-Insitut!

Winners tells the story of 11-year-old Mona (Dileyla Agirman). She has fled Syria with her family and starts a new life at a school in the rebellious Wedding district in Berlin, where anarchy reigns. A film about a lost homeland and a new home, a film about escape, loss and the fights that are worth fighting for. For filmmaker Soleen Yusef, who is of Kurdish origin, Winners is a dream come true: the story of refugee girl Mona, who brings her school to victory, is based on her own story. Soleen wrote the screenplay and directed the film.

The Los Angeles Kurdish Film Festival (LAKFF) is 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.

The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany, connecting people worldwide. The Goethe-Institut promotes social discourse in an international context, and supports the teaching and learning of the German Language. The Goethe-Institut Los Angeles operates on a partnership basis, working together with local partners to create a platform for intercultural exchange. 

This film will be presented in its original Kurdish language with English subtitles.

This program is a venue rental engagement. Member discounts and Frida Cinema comp passes not valid. The views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of The Frida Cinema or its staff.

Hot off of its Academy Award for International Feature Film, Walter Salles’ I’m Still Here is finally making its way to The Frida Cinema!

Starring the incomparable Fernanda Torres (also nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars), the story is set in 1971, when Brazil’s military dictatorship has reached its height. The Paiva family — Rubens, Eunice, and their five children — live in a beachside house in Rio, open to all their friends. One day, Rubens is taken for questioning and does not return.

Thank you to our friends at Sony Picture Classics for letting us play this wonderful film.

As Alina undergoes a transformative metamorphosis into Legerin, her personal evolution mirrors the broader transformation within the Women Life Freedom movement. Commencing in Cuba, her engagements with the Zapatistas in Mexico, her journey through Europe and exploration of the Kurdish cause in Syria symbolize a convergence of struggles. These experiences forge vital connections between seemingly distant realities, significantly contributing to the overarching fight for women’s rights globally.

Through the lens of Alina’s journey, Legerin: In Search of Alina provides a compelling insight into why women around the world draw inspiration from the Women Life Freedom movement. The film captures not only Alina’s unique and transformative experiences but also sheds light on the broader message of women’s agency, resilience, and the pursuit of a life free from oppressive structures.

This film will be presented in its original Spanish and Kurdish languages with English subtitles.

The Los Angeles Kurdish Film Festival (LAKFF) is 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.

This program is a venue rental engagement. Member discounts and Frida Cinema comp passes not valid. The views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of The Frida Cinema or its staff.

The Los Angeles Kurdish Film Festival presents When The Seedlings Grow, the new film from director Refer Azad Kaya

While selling yogurt in Kobanê, Hüseyin and his daughter Zelal are on their way; intersects with Hemudê, who is looking for his home. Their one-day journey witnesses many misfortunes and a new society after the Kobanê war.

The Los Angeles Kurdish Film Festival (LAKFF) is 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.

This film will be presented in its original Kurdish language with English subtitles.

This program is a venue rental engagement. Member discounts and Frida Cinema comp passes not valid. The views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of The Frida Cinema or its staff.

Our first Volunteer Of The Month pick comes courtesy of Vivian, who has selected Wes Anderson’s star-studded ensemble dramady The Royal Tenenbaums!

Royal Tenenbaum and his wife Etheline had three children and then they separated. All three children are extraordinary — all geniuses. Virtually all memory of the brilliance of the young Tenenbaums was subsequently erased by two decades of betrayal, failure, and disaster. Most of this was generally considered to be their father’s fault. This is the story of the family’s sudden, unexpected reunion one recent Winter.

Starring Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Ben Stiller, Anjelica Huston, Danny Glover, Bill Murray and many many other amazing actors that would undoubtedly become part of the Wes Anderson troupe, The Royal Tenenbaums remains the director’s magnum opus; a film (and soundtrack) that has only gotten better with time.

Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has banned We’ve Been Fooled, a political comedy by director Kazım Öz, starring veteran actor İlyas Salman. The film satirizes local politics and election dynamics, sparking criticism and a legal challenge for the director. The Los Angeles Kurdish Film Festival condemns the ban and will screen the movie as part of their festival.

The title, a double entendre meaning both “We’ve been fooled” and “We’ve come to vote,” follows Hıdır Diri, a ruling party candidate who wins an election but soon faces corruption, public discontent, and political power struggles. Set in Ovacık—the film draws from real political events, including the controversial removal of Mayor Mustafa Sarıgül, who later contributed to the script.

The Los Angeles Kurdish Film Festival (LAKFF) is 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.

This film will be presented in its original Turkish and Zazake languages with English subtitles.

This program is a venue rental engagement. Member discounts and Frida Cinema comp passes not valid. The views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of The Frida Cinema or its staff.

Get ready for one of the wildest cinematic experiences of your life as The Frida Cinema presents Nobuhiko Obayashi’s 1977 surrealist masterpiece Hausu (aka House).

The story follows a group of schoolgirls headed to a haunted house for summer vacation, only for things to go from weird to…weirder. From floating pianos to killer stuffed animals, the film is an explosion of colors and chaos.

Join us for this Japanese cult classic (and certified Frida Cinema Favorite) that has become legendary for its bizarre special effects, haunting visuals, and wacky storytelling. It needs to be seen (on the big screen) to be believed.