'I am here, but my soul is there': Maila Ahmad travels to the Kurdistan she never knew

Maila Ahmad, the artistic director of the Amsterdam Kurdish Film Festival, sets out on a journey to explore the four regions of Kurdistan for her new six-part documentary series, Droomland Koerdistan. Born in the Netherlands, Ahmad seeks to connect with her heritage, traveling alongside Iraqi-born director Reber Dosky. Before leaving, she faces significant concerns from her parents, who worry for her safety, particularly regarding travel to Iran and Syria. The documentary also highlights the experiences of the Kurdish diaspora in Sweden, capturing the deep longing and cultural preservation of those who have settled far from their ancestral homelands.

Throughout her travels, Ahmad reflects on the privileges granted by her Dutch passport, acknowledging the emotional weight of visiting places that others cannot return to. Her journey begins in Iraqi Kurdistan, where she visits the sacred Yazidi site of Lalish. The series is praised for its blend of journalistic integrity and personal storytelling, as Ahmad uses her knowledge of the Kurdish language to bridge the gap between her upbringing and her roots.