The Los Angeles Kurdish Film Festival 2025

Kick off The Los Angeles Kurdis Film Festival with their opening night film: The Virgin And Child!  Avesta, a young Kurdish-Yazidi woman and ISIS survivor, finds herself in Brussels seeking justice against the man who once enslaved her. As she revisits her darkest memories while navigating the burden of an unwanted child, Avesta fights relentlessly to be heard—no matter the cost. 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 French and Kurdish 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This documentary follows the lives of Yazidi women who were kidnapped and enslaved by ISIS in 2014 and their struggle to rebuild their lives after escaping captivity. As they attempt to heal from their trauma through art, they find guidance and hope from theater producer Uncle Hussein. The film is set primarily in refugee camps in Iraqi Kurdistan and the sacred Yazidi temple of Lalish. 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.

Director Mirabbas Khosravinezhad's new film Parvin is screening as part of The Los Angeles Kurdish Film Festival. A rural teenage girl secretly brings her boyfriend home when no one is around. However, when her family unexpectedly returns, she must quickly find a way to get him out. 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 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.

Three teenage friends stuck in a refugee camp in the frozen north of Norway come up with a plan to escape over the mountain to a world where their dreams can be fulfilled. But when one of them falls in love, their plan begins to unravel. Hisham Zaman's third feature film, A Happy Day, World premiered at Toronto International Film Festival's Centrepiece section in 2023. Regarded as one of Norway’s leading auteur directors, Zaman is best known for his films exploring themes related to migration, identity and belonging. His previous features Before Snowfall (2013) and Letter to the King (2014) both won the coveted Dragon Award for Best Nordic Film at the Gothenburg International Film Festival. A Happy Day is a bold and artistic film, absurdly located in remote northern Norway amidst the vast, snow-covered landscapes of northern Norway. This film will be presented in its original Norwegian 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.

Join The Los Angeles Kurdish Film Festival as they present a special screening of When The Walnut Leaves Turn Yellow, the new film from director Mehmet Ali Konar! Ciwan is the village chief, a righteous and humble family man. Day in and day out, he rushes through his village duties and tending to his livestock. Two steps behind him is his 14-year-old son Feyzi, wondering why he has to learn everything right now. What he doesn't know is that his father is seriously ill and time is running out. Mehmet Ali Konar effectively combines harsh realism with magic in his third film about an ever-vulnerable ethnic group, also delivering a heartwarming father-son portrait. 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.

The Los Angeles Kurdish Film Festival presents Ayse Polat's new film In The Blind Spot!  A German crew is filming a documentary in north-eastern Turkey, more precisely in a remote Kurdish village, where they witness an elderly woman performing a recurring ritual to keep the memory of her missing son alive. The German team’s Kurdish translator is also the nanny of Melek, a seven-year-old Turkish girl. Her father, Zafer, works for a sinister organisation, and is caught between loyalty and fear for his family’s well-being when his daughter seems to be pursued by a mysterious force. Three different perspectives that, when intersected, develop a destructive power. In The Blind Spot reveals a complex web of conspiracy, paranoia, and generational trauma. The film develops its own formal language to express the unspeakable, playing with familiar references from horror films and political thrillers. 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 German and Kurdish 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.