BAGHDAD ON FIRE

This film is an intimate and dramatic journey following Tiba, an Iraqi young woman fighting for freedom and equality. Twenty years has passed since the US-led invasion of Iraq and the fall of Saddam Hussein. On October 1st 2022 young men and women gather in thousands at Tahrir square in the middle of Baghdad to celebrate the 3 years anniversary of the largest youth demonstrations in the history of Iraq. They demonstrate against chaos, corruption and conflicts in the aftermath of the invasion. One of the demonstrators is 19-year-old Tiba. The film follows Tiba’s transformation from forced marriage and abuse to a young woman fighting for her rights. She wants to study and have an independent job, and to fight for democracy and for a new generation being together in a different way. Will she manage this?

Official Screenings:

• World Premiere at CPH:DOX Copenhagen International Film Festival 2023, Denmark
• Slamdance Film Festival 2023, USA
• Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 2023, USA
• CANDA Festival International Du Court Metrage Au Saguenay 2023
• Amman International Film Festival 2023, Jordan
• Nordisk Panorama International Film Festival 2023, Sweden

Financial Support & Awards:

• Norwegian Film Institute
• The Fritt Ord Foundation
• East Norwegian Film Center: Presale 
• Aftenposten (Norwegian Newspaper & TV) (pre-sale)
• The Guardian 
• Close Up Showcase at Middle East Now Film Festival 2021
• IMS International Media Support Grant 2022
• Pitched at Impact Days FIFDH Geneva International Film Festival 2022
• Storyboard Collective Support 2022
• Pitched at HotDocs Festival Dealmakers 2022
• Selected as Observer+ at Nordisk Panorama 2022
• Nominated New Nordic Voice Award at Nordisk Panorama 2023