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In the heart of old Baghdad, where legendary movie theaters now stand abandoned and shrouded in dust, a new generation of Iraqi filmmakers is striving to revive the nation's once-vibrant cultural scene. Director Ali al-Bayati is among them, overseeing his camera operators for a scene in his upcoming horror film, which he hopes will gain international showcase.

Momentum for this revival is bolstered by recent international recognition for the Iraqi film "The President's Cake," which depicted life under Saddam Hussein's crippling sanctions. "Reviving the cinema sector in Iraq is not easy, but it is not impossible either," Bayati told AFP, reflecting a cautious optimism shared by many in the industry.

Iraq's cinematic golden age, which peaked in the 1950s, was largely extinguished by decades of war, sectarian strife, and the aftermath of the 2003 US-led invasion. Baghdad's old movie theaters, once hubs of cultural life, are now dilapidated, with some repurposed as warehouses.

In recent years, a fragile stability has begun to rekindle Iraqis' appetite for entertainment. Authorities launched an initiative last year to support 58 film projects, but the $4 million funding pool is a stark reminder of the industry's persistent challenges. Filmmakers like Bayati rely on small grants, gambling on gaining the trust of Iraqi audiences to generate revenues for sustainability.

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Reviving the cinema sector in Iraq is not easy, but it is not impossible either.