Editor

Festival in the competition category of both World Cinema and Kurdish Cinema sections were announced and the Golden and Silver Leaf awards along with plaques and cash prizes were granted.
The closing ceremony of the 8th round of Duhok International Film Festival was held in Duhok University’s congregation hall, attended by Duhok governor Dr. Ali Tatar, festival president Ameer Ali Mohammed Tahir, artistic manager Shawkat Amin Korki, as well as the jury, artists and fans.

 “World Cinema”:
- The Yılmaz Güney Award - “Jiyan” directed by Süheyla Schwenk from Germany
- The Special Jury Award - “The Alien” directed by Nader Saeivar from Iran
- Best International Film - the short film “The Great Istanbul Depression” directed by Zeynep Dilan Süren from Turkey
- Best International Documentary - “The Other Side of the River” directed by Antonia Kilian from Germany and Finland

 “Kurdish Cinema”:
- Best Director - Arsalan Amiri for feature film “Zalava” from Iran
- Best Actor - Navid Pourfaraj for “Zalava” from Iran
- Best Actress - Maryam Boubani for “The Dance of Ali and Zin” from Iran
- Best Film - “Sidik and the Panther” directed by Reber Dosky from the Netherlands
- Best Screenplay - “Brother’s Keeper” by Gülistan Acet and Ferit Karahan from Turkey
- Special Jury Award - Hello Ramshtî, the star of “Dirty Land” from Kurdistan
- Best Kurdish Film - “Seven Symphonies of Zagros”, short film directed by Parviz Rostami from Iran
- Special Jury Award - “Silence”, short film directed by Brwa Vahabpour from Iran
- Best Kurdish Documentary - “Holy Bread” directed by Rahim Zabihi from Iran
- FIPRESCI Award - “The Dance of Ali and Zin” directed by Mehmet Ali Konar from Turkey.

The 8th Duhok International Film Festival 94 films in feature format, short, or documentary, in competition or out of competition categories.

“World Cinema” competition category includes 9 feature films, 5 documentaries, and 9 shorts;

“Kurdish Cinema” competition category contains 6 features films, 6 documentaries, and 12 shorts;

“World Vision” includes 8 feature films, 3 documentaries, and 7 shorts;

“Kurdish Cinema Panorama” category contains 17 shorts;

“Special Screening of Afghan Cinema” with 8 feature films;

“Special Screening of Kurdish Cinema” with 2 feature films held screened in November 15 to 22, 2021.