On Sunday, July 24th of 2016, an announcement had been delivered to the public about cancelling the 4th edition of Duhok IFF due to economical crisis and lack of support. This news shocked the public and was followed by a reaction from the festival’s audience, national and international film community, several supporting campaigns by artists, filmmakers and journalists from the four parts of Kurdistan and the international community. Voices raised asking to resume this extra ordinary event and its positive impact on the region.

Several campaigns started and hundreds of local and international film community, public, and film festival representatives signed to support and resume the festival. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, July 26th a gathering was made by the people of Duhok, artists and public in the city center calling to resume Duhok IFF and protested against the cancelation of the event. 

This chain of campaigns and reactions left a remarkable impact on Duhok IFF’s organizers, and a pressure on the government to resume and support the festival in these hard conditions and crisis. This was followed by a meeting with Duhok’s Governor, Mr. Farhad Atroshi, who showed his kind support and discussed the possibilities of resuming the festival with the organizers upon the request of the people and the high demand of the film community, worldwide. Therefore, as a respect to the call of Duhok citizens, artists and public figures of Kurdistan and international community, the Duhok Governorate took action and announced it’s support by securing the required budget to resume the festival. 

Duhok IFF's crew, would like to show acknowledgment and appreciations to Kurdistan Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Nechirvan Barzani for his continuous support. Also, we send our thanks and appreciations to Mr. Farhad Atroshi, the Governor of Duhok for taking immediate action to rescue this cultural event, and not let it die. We also thank Mr. Khalid Doski, the Minister of Youth and Cultural Affairs of Kurdistan Regional Government for his support. Special Thanks to Duhok's Artists Syndicate, Mali Cinema of Sulemani, parliaments and officials, media agencies for their coverages, NGOs, artists and supporters from the four parts of Kurdistan and world wide.

Eventually, a very special thank to the people of Duhok for their supporting campaigns. They proved that this festival is each and everyone’s asset. All these, added more to our duties and responsibilities towards the event. Therefore, we announce the continuation of Duhok 4th international film festival to be held in September 9th – 16th, 2016. 

Many Thanks to this year’s Juries, filmmakers and participants for understanding the situation.

July 31, 2016

Ayoob Ramadhan 

Festival President

Duhok International Film Festival