Today (Sunday), Al-Kitab University hosted the activities of the Short Film Festival, with the participation of more than 40 public and private universities from across Iraq, in an artistic and cultural event reflecting the growing interest in cinematic creativity among university youth.

The festival opened with the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah in remembrance of the souls of Iraq’s martyrs, followed by the playing of the Iraqi national anthem, in an atmosphere marked by respect and national pride.

The President of Al-Kitab University, Prof. Dr. Iyad Barzinji, delivered a speech in which he welcomed the participating delegations, emphasizing the importance of supporting youth talents and providing platforms to showcase their creativity. He noted that the festival represents a real opportunity for exchanging expertise and promoting cinematic activity within the academic community.

The representative of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the official in charge of student activities, Assistant Lecturer Ammar Zuheer Sabri, also delivered a speech praising the university’s efforts in organizing this event, affirming the Ministry’s support for such initiatives that contribute to honing students’ skills and developing their artistic abilities.

The opening activities of the festival featured screenings of a number of participating short films, with the events set to continue for four days, including diverse film screenings, cultural and artistic activities, as well as discussion sessions and specialized workshops in the field of filmmaking.

This festival reaffirms the growing role of Iraqi universities in supporting culture and the arts, and in nurturing young talents across various creative fields.