The film, praised for its visual depth and powerful storytelling, highlights the representation of Assyrians in cinema — a space where they have long been underrepresented. Accepting the award, Gilbert dedicated it to the wider community:

“This award is not just for me. It is for all the young Assyrians who dream of telling their stories through film. Our voices matter, and this recognition shows that there is space for us in the cultural life of Iraq.”
Son of Assyria is Gilbert’s third feature, following Journey of Eternity (2022), which depicted the execution of Assyrian martyrs Youbert Shlimon, Youkhana Jajo, and Yousip Hermis under Saddam Hussein, and Road to Urmi (2024), which recounted a family’s struggles during the Assyrian genocide.

Born in Kirkuk in 1981 and now based in Chicago, Gilbert is part of a growing movement of filmmakers using cinema to preserve and spotlight Assyrian heritage and history.

Citation:
Source: Assyria Post