The 14th London Kurdish Film Festival was dedicated to Sırrı Süreyya Önder. With moving films, strong female voices, and a clear political commitment, the festival became a cultural memorial for freedom, remembrance, and resistance.
The 14th London Kurdish Film Festival (LKFF) was dedicated to Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a member of the DEM Party İmralı Delegation and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, who lost his life on Saturday on the 18th day of his treatment in the intensive care unit of an Istanbul hospital following a cardiac arrest on April 15.
The festival concluded with a moving closing ceremony, accompanied by a film premiere and awards.
The festival organizers honored Önder, who stood for democracy, dialogue, and cultural expression for decades, as a symbol of peace and brotherhood of peoples.
Honouring a life dedicated to art and dialogue
The closing ceremony began with a minute's silence for Önder. Festival director Ferhan Stêrk said: “Sırrı Süreyya was a symbol of peace and freedom. He dedicated his life to democratic coexistence and justice. This edition of the festival is dedicated to him, our beloved companion.”
Opening with “Touch of Freedom” – a look at the Kobanê resistance
The closing film was the Swedish production “Touch of Freedom” by director Manal Masri. The film tells the moving story of two Kurdish students, Jenkidar and Huseyin, who join the resistance in Kobanê. The cinematic perspective of the family members conveys the emotional depth of the conflict and evoked strong reactions from the audience. After the screening, the historic significance of the Kobanê resistance was once again emphasized in a panel discussion. The slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom) was repeatedly chanted in the hall.
Winners of the LKFF 2025
The awards ceremony honored works that combined political depth, cultural memory, and artistic quality:
▪ Best Feature Film (Rojazer Prize): “Kör Noktada” (“In The Blind Spot”) by Ayşe Polat, inspired by the “Saturday Mothers” and the search for justice.
▪ Best Documentary Film (Mehmet Aksoy Prize): “Hold Still” by Berke Baş, an intense reflection on memory and resistance.
▪ Best Short Documentary (Taha Karimi Prize): “Ever Since, I Have Been Flying” by Aydın Gökmen.
▪ Best Short Film (Yılmaz Güney Prize): “Agony” by Borhan Ahmadi and Leila Baghpira.
▪ Special Jury Prize: “Bizim İsmail” (“Our İsmail”) by Fatin Kanat and Önder İnce, and “Ulysses Çevirmek” (“Translating Ulysses”)by Aylin Kuryel and Fırat Yücel.
▪ Best Actress: Şilan Düzdaban (Buka Baranê).
▪ Best Actor: Korkmaz Aslan.
▪ Honorary Awards: to director Saman Hosseinpour (“Son”) and to Yazidi actress Sarab Nayif Issa, who dedicated her award to “all women who are fighting.”
A reflection of a struggling culture
In her closing speech, Shilan Murdachy highlighted that 17 of the films presented were directed by women – a strong signal for female perspectives in Kurdish cinema. At the same time, she emphasized the power of collective storytelling: “Our stories are reaching the world – thanks to your commitment and solidarity. This dream lives on through you.”
Over 58 films were shown during the nine-day event, including feature films, short films, and documentaries. The dominant themes were stories of flight, the resistance in Rojava, the fate of Yazidi women, language loss, and the culture of remembrance. Director Bilal Korkut commented on the often painful topics with the words: “You always show the wound that is still bleeding.”
From Kurdistan to North America
A particular highlight was the screening of the film “Threads of Revolution” by US author Janet Biehl, which examines the ecological and feminist revolution in North-East Syria, inspired by the ideas of Murray Bookchin. Biehl received great applause for her contribution.
Works by Kazım Öz, Mehmet Ali Konar, and Arash Rakhsa also attracted particular attention with their personal, poetic, and political styles.
A legacy on screen: Sırrı Süreyya Önder lives on
The memory of Sırrı Süreyya Önder was a recurring theme throughout the festival. Many artists, award winners, and guests paid tribute to his contribution to peace and culture. The DEM MP and deputy speaker of parliament suffered a severe heart attack on April 15 and died on May 3 in an Istanbul hsopital from multiple organ failure. Kurdish musician Kemal Ulusoy summed it up at the closing ceremony: “We will make peace in Sırrı's heart a reality.”
