“I’m incredibly honored that We Believe in Hope has won the 2025 High Note Global Prize,” Sayeed said.

Family members said Kako had been struggling with illness and poverty in recent months. He passed away on Tuesday.

Yousufi began painting long before the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Some of the coins were damaged, he said, and the total historical or monetary value of the discovery has not.

Sayeed was awarded the festival’s Humanitarian Award and was named Best Afghan Artist.

The event featured 29 finalist films selected from more than 450 submissions across multiple countries.

Several participating artists said the exhibition focused on natural scenery and was shaped by both ideological and economic pressures.

Organizers said the exhibition aimed to foster cultural dialogue and preserve the region’s rich visual traditions.

The exhibition featured handmade Hazara garments, local jewelry, and traditional dishes.

Founded in 1968, Afghan Film served for decades as the backbone of Afghanistan’s cinematic and documentary production.