On 7 April 2019, about one hundred students of Cihan University in Erbil took part in the 3x3 Film Festival organised by the UNAMI Human Rights Office.
After kicking off in Baghdad, the 3x3 Festival continues with screenings throughout Iraq of 12 short films dealing with challenges faced by minorities in Iraq and wider human rights issues. All the films were made by Iraqis from around the country and each film had a female writer, director, or lead character.
After the screening at the Cihan University campus in Erbil, students engaged with an expert panel including the President of Cihan University, Dr. Amjad Al Dalawi, the General Director of the Kurdistan Region Independent Board of Human Rights, Ms. Tavga Omer Rasheed, the Director of the Ezidi Organization for Documentation, Mr. Hussam Abdullah, the Academy staff of International Department, Ms. Ashna Baban.
The films sparked discussion about the need for greater protection of minorities, women’s rights in the home, in the workplace, and in government, and the need to prosecute crimes committed by ISIL.