A DAY WITH THE PKK

Director: Karzan Sherabayani
United Kingdom 2006 / 7m / English, Kurdish (Kurmanji) with English subtitles / PG

Thousands of members of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) armed resistance train daily in South Kurdistan, Iraq. The organisation has grown rapidly in the last 20 years as a result of the Turkish government's persecution of the Kurds - and now claim to have millions of supporters throughout the world. With Turkey eager to join the EU, but still refusing to recognise the existence of the Kurds and their rights, and claiming the PKK is a terrorist organisation, Kurdish director Karzan spends a day in their training camp.

BLINDMAN'S BUFF

Director: Aydin Sevinç
North Kurdistan (Turkey) 2006 / 45m / Kurdish (Kurmanji), Turkish with English subtitles / PG

On 24 March 2006, 3 days after the Newroz (Kurdish new year) celebration, attended by a million people in Diyarbakir, 14 PKK members were killed in a clash with Turkish security forces. The evidence showed that they were killed by some sort of chemical weapon. Their funeral was attended by a thousand people. Turkish police attacked the mourners and killed 7 of them including some children. Filmmaker Aydin Sevinç talks with the bereaved families and hears first hand accounts from the children of Diyarbakir.

IN THE NAME OF TRADITION

Director: Kameel Ahmedy
United Kingdom 2007 / 34m / Kurdish (Sorani) with English subtitles / 12A

Recent research indicates that approx 70% girls in Iran are still circumcised, a practise which also takes place in the Kurdish region of Iran. This documentary explores this phenomenon, talking directly to locals, parents, clergy men, doctors, as well as the people who carry out the procedure for a living. The first film to focus on this issue in Iran, it follows a young student's life over a two week period, who has recently found out from her mother that she has also been circumcised.

WHAT HAPPENED TO US?

Director: Hossein Jehani
Australia 2005 / 23m / Kurdish (Sorani) with English subtitles / PG

A touching story about women living in Kurdistan, focusing on the honour killing of women and those who burn or kill themselves under the pressure of their family or society.

IN THE MIDST OF LOVE... MURDER

Director: Chia Yasin
South Kurdistan (Iraq) 2007 / 14m / Kurdish (Sorani) with English subtitles / PG

The struggle of Kurdish women to become independent and how society, traditions and family prevent them from being so. The documentary features views from academics, woman rights activists and religious leaders.