The Serçavan – Kurdish Film Days, opened in Vienna. The five-day event will bring together stories focused on themes of homeland, loss, and the search for freedom.
The Vienna Kurdish Film Days will follow a theme, “Stories Reflected on the Screen,” and will present a rich selection of feature films, documentaries, and short films at Votivkino, offering different perspectives on the culture, history, and lived reality of Kurdistan.
Since 1999, the Serçavan Film Days have brought together films by award-winning or nominated directors from the four parts of Kurdistan and Europe. The event is being organized for the eleventh time through a partnership between the Federation of Kurdish Associations in Austria (FEYKOM) and the Kurdish Students’ Union (YXK), with contributions from various institutions.
FEYKOM representative and member of the organizing committee, Peri A., said: “The word Serçavan in Kurdish means hospitality. In the coming days, we hope to be worthy of Kurdish hospitality. This year’s program includes dramas, documentaries, and short films that reflect the difficulties, dreams, and struggles of people in Kurdistan. Each film tells a story woven with hope and resistance, tradition and renewal.”
FEYKOM representative Gule C. emphasized that art is not only a reflection but also a voice, saying, “This is a voice that wants and needs to be heard. For the Kurdish people, visibility is still a form of resistance.”
The representative added: “These films show that art can blossom even under oppression, exile, and censorship.” She also commemorated Hüseyin Akmaz, one of FEYKOM’s founders who passed away in July, saying: “He dedicated his life to freedom, justice, and the cultural visibility of the Kurdish people. We remember him with respect and gratitude.”
Lawyer and Green Party MP Berivan Aslan also attended and delivered a speech. She said: “When I was younger, whenever Kurdish songs played, my mother and I would listen right away. My mother used to say, with pure emotion, ‘The happiness I feel from a Kurdish song cannot be expressed.’ Why did she say that? Because even a small piece of it is a reflection of my identity.”
Regional President Saya Ahmad, who could not attend the festival, sent a message to Serçavan: “It is especially meaningful that our films are being shown in Alsergrund, because here we see each other, support each other, and stand in solidarity.”
After the speeches, there was a performance by artist Omid Darwish (Kurdophone).
The festival opened with the film “Eren”, about Eren Keskin, co-chair of the Human Rights Association (IHD). Keskin told the audience: “I have been banned from traveling abroad for nine years. I would have liked to attend this screening, but unfortunately that wasn’t possible. I hope this peace process will be completed successfully, legal reforms will be made, and we can live without fear of imprisonment, while our friends in prison are released. Thank you for watching the film and allowing me to speak here.”
Donation boxes were also placed at the screening. In 1960, around 300 children died in a fire at the Amûdê Cinema in Rojava. The donations collected will directly contribute to rebuilding the cinema.
The screenings drew great interest, and all tickets were sold out.
Today, the festival will begin with short films lasting 6–20 minutes (Red Room, Kwistan, Zaam, Dancing Amid Fire, Rising Above Ruins, YARÊ). In the evening, Viennese director Kurdwin Ayub’s feature film Mond (Moon) will be screened, followed by a talk on freedom and self-determination connected to her debut film Sonne (Sun).
On Friday, Muharrem und Xewna Bê Ziman, Naharina, and The Virgin & Child will be shown. On Saturday, screenings will include Asadur, Tevî her tistî, Hat Nehat, Xwes Xeber, KURMÊ DARÊ, and Eine Brücke nach Rojava. The day’s highlight will be a panel at Vienna’s Schauspielhaus on November 1 at 2:00 p.m. with Essmat Sophie, Ekrem Heydo, and Robert Krieg.
The final day of the festival will start with short films (Garan, After What, Şiwênpence) and end with Vartinîs and Suwariyên Şengalê. These films convey the traumatic experiences embedded in the Kurdish collective memory.