Arab Artists Praise Nineveh’s Reconstruction at Nineveh Film Festival

 
Nineveh -INA
 
The inaugural Nineveh International Film Festival witnessed a large audience from Nineveh and across Iraq, highlighting the city’s revival. The festival featured 20 films, selected from 300 submissions spanning 15 Arab and international countries, with screenings ranging from short to feature-length films.
 
Prominent Arab cinema figures visited Al-Tahera Church and the Al Hadba Minaret, engaging in discussions about Nineveh’s resilience and rich heritage despite past devastation. They expressed admiration for the city’s revival, describing it as enchanting and culturally vibrant.
 
The Iraqi Ministry of Culture honored several esteemed artists, including Fatima Al-Rubaie, Jawad Al-Shakarchi, Mohsen Al-Ali, Lyth Askar, Zuhair Abdul Karim (Syria), Sabah Al-Jazairi (Syria), Ahmed Badir (Egypt), and Ahmed Siam (Egypt).
 
 
Syrian actor Zuhair Abdul Karim, a festival jury member, emphasized the role of art and cinema in uniting nations, praising Mosul’s people for their dedication to cultural and historical preservation.

Egyptian actor Ahmed Badir was struck by the city’s significant urban development, stating that “the destruction is no longer visible, and the city is thriving with life and culture.”
 
Egyptian actor Ahmed Siam praised Iraq’s artistic talent and expressed optimism about greater collaboration between Iraqi and Egyptian filmmakers. Syrian actress Amanah Wali, visiting Mosul for the first time, was surprised by its grandeur and hospitality, describing it as a beautiful and vibrant city.
 
The festival underscored Nineveh’s cinematic potential and cultural revival, reinforcing its place as a hub for artistic and historical appreciation.