The 9th FilmAmed Documentary Film Festival, organized jointly by the Middle East Cinema Academy and Peyas (Kayapınar) Municipality, will be held under the motto "Roots… True Legends Around the Fire."

Within the scope of the festival, a total of 29 documentaries will be screened, 24 in the official selection and 5 in the screening selection. The festival will begin tomorrow, Friday 26 September, with a concert and the film JINWAR, and will conclude on Tuesday, 30 September.

The festival, which features many documentaries on culture, memory, women, and society, will also include panels.

Our goal is to make the invisible visible

Speaking about the mission of the FilmAmed Documentary Film Festival, Festival Organizing Committee member Sipan Dağdeviren said the festival encourages documentary cinema as a means of expression and aims to make cultural diversity and social issues visible.

Dağdeviren noted that they support the productions of independent filmmakers, adding: "FilmAmed is transforming into a free space where unseen injustices, human rights violations, and the resistance of women, workers, and peoples can be shown. We see the artist as the conscience of society. That’s why we create an impact that keeps social memory alive, records it, reveals forgotten truths, asks questions, and dares to criticize, shedding light on all social issues."

Dağdeviren said the preparation for the festival began six months ago, during which jury selections were made, and three workshops were held before the festival. He said: "In this festival program, we focus on cultural diversity, women’s struggle, and the oppression and resistance of peoples. Films highlighting these issues are included in the festival. There were more than 40 project submissions, and 7 films were selected. Our goal is to bring documentaries that cannot find alternative spaces or cannot be screened to audiences."

Keeping memory alive

Dağdeviren pointed out that the festival functions differently from other organizations, and said: "In this festival, we remind the public of everything that has been forgotten or is intended to be forgotten. There are many documentaries dealing with both mourning and struggle. Culture and art are important tools to highlight the struggle of the Kurdish people and oppressed peoples. We want to show this memory of struggle more and more through both documentaries and festivals. We invite everyone to this festival, which will feature many documentary films."