CALLING ROJAVA

The film Heval Birako by Numan Yiğit and Önder Çakar is based on the writings of Kurdish journalist Nazım Daştan, who was killed in a Turkish drone strike in Rojava in 2024. The film not only tells a story of resistance and liberation, but also reflects the reality of a region where art is inextricably linked to political engagement and communal survival.

Heval Birako is an example of how the film commune in Rojava collaboratively develops, produces, and distributes stories from the people—as part of a cultural resistance. For director Numan Yiğit, Heval Birako is much more than a film; it is an example of how alternative, resistant filmmaking is developing in Rojava despite war and scarce resources, and a collective memory project that lends cinematic expressiveness to the history and struggle of a people. The plot centers on a pair of siblings and their escape from captivity by the terrorist militia »Islamic State (IS)« a story based on true events.

Feature film by Numan Yiğit (director) and Önder Çakar (screenplay)
112 min, 2025, Rojava/Syria
TUR/DE

Conversation with Numan Yiğit and Önder Çakar
Opening speech by Zehra Doğan
Moderator Can Dündar
Consecutive translation Tunçay Kulaoğlu

Poster: Heval Birako