About IACCD

In the beginning, it was the Iraqi Filmmakers Without borders organization … This name that we had choose for the organization expressed the beginning of change in Iraq, as the nature of the totalitarian regime is characterized by absolute control over all aspects of life, the most important are art, culture, and the means of human expression in all its forms. Perhaps cinema and its expressive ways, that use thought and image at the same time, is one of the most powerful means of human communication and discourse. Therefore, the establishment of the organization was initiated by professors from the Fine Art College. We have chosen this name to clarify our rejection of any political system that Ideolog his people, and our complete bias towards people’s issues only.
The organization was established in 2004 and renewed its registration, after the civil society organizations system was amended by the Organizations Department, and its second license was issued on 2/16/2010. The organization launched its project to establish the Baghdad International Film Festival for the first time in Iraq. The festival was a cultural and artistic phenomenon that many cinema stakeholders sought to emulate in the Iraqi governorates, in addition to holding international exhibitions and competitions for photographic art. The organization issued the Film World magazine, which is approved by the Journalists Syndicate, and sought to hold artistic courses in film directing and photography and held critical gatherings.
In 2014, the General Authority decided to change the name of the organization to the “Iraqi association for the Development of Cinema and Culture.” In order to expand its activity to include cinema and all other artistic fields, Its license was issued by the Department of Organizations on 10/4/2014, and its activity increased by activating the role of the festival and consolidating its administrative and organizational status, and it was registered among the international festivals recognized by the managements of international festivals in Belgium. Independent production companies and directors participated in the festival, and the festival witnessed cinematic shows shown for the first time in Iraq. The festival also created collaborations with international festivals in America and France, details of which are mentioned in the festival’s catalogs.
The Foundation, together with ARTE French Channel, held two important sessions, each session witnessed the production of ten short films, about Iraqi stories, and by young Iraqi directors, which were shown on the French channel ARTE and at the Baghdad International Film Festival, in addition to its participation in many other film festivals. The Foundation also held courses in directing, photography, montage and scenario, in which specialized professors lectured. The Foundation sought seriously to establish the “Cinematheque in Baghdad” for the first time, and took the first steps had it not been for the organization to stop its work due to the outbreak of the Iraqi October Revolution in 2019. which took place near the institution’s headquarters. After that, the Corona pandemic swept Iraq in 2020, prolonging its stops. Then in 2022, it carried out its activities, determined to put the institution on the path of contributing and participating in the cinematic and cultural field in our dear country.For this purpose, the founding body met and approved the establishment of the (Iraqi Foundation for Cinema and Culture Development), due to our belief in supporting and strengthening the artistic and cultural situation in Iraq without discrimination or exception.