Carrick on Shannon is home to a small Kurdish community who were resettled in the area as part of the Irish Government Refugee Resettlement Scheme. With the division of Kurdish-inhabited areas, Kurdistan, first in 16th  and again in the 20th century,  between Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria and former Soviet Union this war torn, displaced community have created a strong artistic and cultural voice, particularly through the medium of film.  Directors working in extremely difficult conditions in the Middle East and members of the 4 million strong Kurdish diaspora throughout Europe, America, Australia and Canada have generated a vibrant film culture reflective of their experiences.  Mustafa Gundogdu, is on of the founders and the current co-ordinator of London Kurdish Film Festival and New York Kurdish Film festival has been invited to curate this 1st Kurdish Film Festival  in Carrick on Shannon by Leitrim County Council Arts Office. His selection of contemporary and award winning Kurdish feature films, shorts and documentaries is augmented by the presence of some of the Kurdish directors, who will attend the screenings and also take part in a discussion panel  “Film Under Fire”. Another special event of local interest is the screening of short Kurdish films selected by Transition Year Students from Carrick Community School. All the screenings will be free of charge and will take place in The Dock and Cinema North West which will be located in front of The Dock for the festival.  This project has been funded by the PEACE III Programme through the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.

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This project has been funded by the Peace III Programme through the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.