A poignant documentary, “Imad’s Childhood,” recently held a special screening in Erbil. The film profoundly moved its audience. Many viewers described it as deeply impactful. It powerfully conveys the struggles of the Yazidi Kurdish community.
The film’s director, Zahawi Sanjabi, created this important work. The documentary tells the tragic story of a Yazidi Kurdish boy named Imad. He survived captivity under ISIS. However, that experience left him with severe psychological trauma. Consequently, the film follows his difficult journey. It shows his struggle to reclaim his lost childhood.
Audience members shared their strong reactions afterward. One viewer, Shaykaresh Dlshad, emphasized the film’s universal message. She stated that every household should see this film. Furthermore, she argued that art deserves more priority. She suggested teaching children about painting and poetry instead.
Another filmmaker, Jano Rojbayani, praised the documentary’s success. He called it a powerful drama. He also stressed cinema’s unique importance. He explained that political news is often forgotten, but a great film endures. Therefore, he urged for more Kurdish films on subjects like the Anfal and genocide.
A retired judge, Abdulbast Farhadi, also attended the screening. He found the film incredibly realistic. He even felt like he was living within Imad’s family. Moreover, he highlighted cinema’s power to break borders. He recalled how the film “Yol” educated his generation about Kurds in Turkey.
The screening occurred during the French-German Film Week. This event started on September 18, 2025. It is organized by the French Institute and the Goethe Institute. “Imad’s Childhood” was the only Kurdish film featured in the program.
The documentary has already achieved global recognition. It has screened in over 85 countries. It also participated in more than 30 international festivals. The film won the Best Director award at the second Kurdistan Film Festival in Amsterdam. It also earned the Best Documentary prize at a festival in Budapest. Notably, an Asian film center ranked it among the top 11 documentaries from Asia.
The production of “Imad’s Childhood” was a lengthy process. Filming alone took 13 months. The entire project required three years to complete. The final film runs for 78 minutes.