My name is Mohammed Jano and I have been working in Northern Iraqi Kurdistan as a cameraman since 1995. Most of my experience has been with digital video for Kurdistan TV satellite network. In 2003 I started work on 'Narcissus Blossom,' a feature film shot on Digital Beta Cam. Work had to be postponed due to the Iraqi war, and was finished in 2004. 'Narcissus Blossom' was accepted at the Berlin International Film Festival of 2006, for the Panorama Section, and received the Amnesty International Prize.

Early 2005 I worked as an assistant director for 'Saddam is Lost,' a 35mm feature directed by Shawkat Amin. Throughout 2005 and 2006 I worked with Hussein Hasan on several short films and music videos, many of which received awards at short film and music video festivals in Kurdistan Iraq.

I hope that by taking part in the AFA, I can add to the diversity of the program and bring a unique perspective from the Western part of Asia. I also hope to contribute to the Kurdish culture and cinema style, and incorporate its style with those from Eastern Asia. Most importantly, to create a bridge into the Middle East for fellow students, staff, and established directors that take part in the AFA program. As my work has been primarily on DV and analogue, I have a great desire to learn the complicated process of HD cinema.

As Kurdistan is still developing its film industry, the facilities to efficiently produce a 35mm film are still in their infancy. For the next couple of years, many of the films made in Kurdistan will be in HD. Although my intent is to work and eventually master 35mm film camera work, it is very important to master the work and style of HD for current and future use.