The goal of the Iraq Eye project is media self-empowerment, by initiating a culture of documentary journalism and documentary filmmaking in general. Iraq Eye films and doc-news stories focus on Women's Rights, Human Rights and Freedom of Speech issues within Iraq and the Iraqi Diaspora.
The Iraq Eye collective of filmmakers and doc journalists have produced dozens of short and feature films for over five years now, involving over a hundred different Iraqi filmmakers and journalists. Each month, new filmmakers utilize the collective equipment and financing to make a new batch of stories. These are edited at the main production studio and either air locally on television or get sent to any number of world-class film festivals for greater exposure and acclaim. The Iraq Eye Group has produced two feature films, THE DREAMS OF SPARROWS (2005) and SADR CITY SOCCER (2007), both by Director Hayder Daffar.
The Iraq Eye production studio is in the majestic yet crumbling National Theater in the Karada District of Baghdad. The theater was once the center of the Arts & Culture scene in Baghdad, but has been largely abandoned by most due to escalating violence. Recently, the National Theater is making a steady comeback as the Karada District of Baghdad becomes safer.
Iraq Eye projects have been featured on CNN, CNN International, MTV News, the BBC World News, Canal Plus and Voice of America News. Iraq Eye projects have been critically hailed by The New York Times, Wired Magazine, Utne, Newsweek and The Variety.
The Iraq Eye Group is currently running on a grant from the Soros OSI MENA initiative.
