Kurdistan Puts Out the Welcome Mat for Filmmakers at Cannes

For a second year running, the Kurdistan Film Commission made its presence felt at the Cannes Film Festival, this time with a clear message: the region is open for business. The semi-autonomous area in northern Iraq, often overlooked as a production destination, is working hard to change that perception.

At the heart of the push is a new $2 million annual fund, officially launched during a panel titled “Owning Our Story.” Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, who heads the commission, told the crowd that cinema can bridge divides that politics cannot. “We want to be a bridge, not a battlefield,” he said. The fund aims to put Kurdish stories in the hands of Kurdish creators, while also welcoming international partners.

Commission chair Bavi Yassin describes the initiative as a shift from relying on outside support to building a homegrown system. “It’s about ownership, continuity, and visibility,” she explained. Projects will be judged not just on artistic quality, but on their potential for international co-production and local impact.

Kurdistan offers filmmakers something rare: authenticity without overexposure. Yassin notes that the region’s landscapes can double for Syria, Afghanistan, or even Ireland—all within a compact, cost-effective area. Permits are easy, logistics are simple, and the price is right. “This industry is expensive,” she said. “We offer a competitive alternative without big rebate schemes.”

Training is also a priority. Over the past year, the commission has run workshops on producing, location management, and more. Plans for 2026 include scriptwriting labs and free public screenings in Slemani.

Yes, regional conflicts pose challenges. But Yassin insists daily life in Kurdistan is stable and safe. “Our presence at Cannes is a statement,” she said. “We are open, we are building, and we are not waiting for perfect conditions to start.” With a Canadian production already on the way, the commission is proving that a small region can dream big.