Shawkat Amin Korki

Born in Iraqi Kurdistan, Shawkat Amin Korki and his family fled from military oppression in 1975, living in exile in Iran for 24 years. During his years in Iran and after returning to Iraqi Kurdistan, he began working in the theatre, television, and cinema. His short films, made between 1997 and 2005, have been presented at several international festivals, winning awards. Korki wrote, directed, and produced his first feature film in Iraqi Kurdistan, Crossing the Dust, in 2006. It was shown at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam in 2007. The film won many international prizes, including the Best Director and NETPAK Award at Singapore International Film Festival. His second feature, Kick Off (2009), won twelve international awards, including the Busan International Film Festival New Currents Award and FIPRESCI Prize. His third feature, Memories on Stone (2014), has won fifteen international awards, including the 2014 Best Film from the Arab World at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival and the coveted APSA UNESCO Award. His last film, THE EXAM (2021), premiered at 55th Karlovy Vary international film festival and won the critic (PIPRESCI) award. He lives and works in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan. His films have participated in more than 200 international film festivals and won more than 50 international awards. He is a Member of the Asia Pacific Academy Award.