Anfa 8

Anfa 8
Official poster for Anfa 8
Official film poster
Sorani Kurdishئەنفا ٨
Directed byKarzan Kardozi
Written byKarzan Kardozi
Produced byKarzan Kardozi
Starring
  • Barzan Yunis
  • Kanar Sarchl
  • Taha Mohamad
  • Ragash Kizhan
  • Nvar Yasin
CinematographyLana Diyar
Release date
  • 11 September 2026 (2026-09-11)
Running time
110 minutes
CountriesUnited States
Kurdistan Region
LanguageKurdish

Anfa 8 (Sorani Kurdish: ئەنفا ٨) is a 2026 Kurdish Americans independent science fiction neo-noir thriller film written, directed, produced, edited, and scored by Karzan Kardozi. It is the first Kurdish feature film in the science fiction genre. It serves as the second installment in Kardozi's Myth Trilogy, following his 2024 film Where is Gilgamesh?.

Set in a dystopian future where an artificial intelligence controls a sunless city, the film stars Barzan Yunis as Horus, a hunter tracking down members of a solar worshiping cult. The film's narrative draws heavily from the ancient mythologies of Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, specifically Descent of Inanna into the Underworld and The Contendings of Horus and Seth.

Plot

In the future city of Soli, an artificial intelligence known as Anfa 8 maintains absolute control. In this dystopian setting, the sun no longer exists, and the city is plunged into eternal night. The citizens are completely unaware of the concept of daytime or the sun. A rebellious occult group of sun-worshippers desperately seeks to free themselves from Anfa 8's rule. Viewing them as a threat, Anfa 8 utilizes a specialized task force called the Shopazho. Horus, a member of this force, is tasked with hunting down and eliminating the renegade cult members.

Cast

Production

Anfa 8 is an independent micro-budget feature, self-funded entirely by the director with a budget of only $8,000. Principal photography took place over 18 nights in December 2025. Filming occurred entirely on location in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, utilizing a small crew of only five people. Because the film is set in a world without a sun, the production was shot completely at night. The film was shot in black and white.

Themes

Anfa 8 introduces a new direction for Kurdish cinema, moving away from classic social themes and entering the realm of science fiction and neo-noir. The film's title, referencing the 1988 Anfal campaign, explores the concept of a "digital Anfal"—a digital genocide where a machine system manipulates memories, erases true history, and distorts the Kurdish language as a metaphor for the loss of linguistic identity. The eternal darkness of the city of Soli serves as a symbol for political obscurity and social despair, while characters like Horus and Inanna embody ancient mythological archetypes navigating modern oppressive structures.

Release

The film premiered theatrically at Cinema Salim in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, on September 11, 2026, alongside screenings in Erbil and Kalar.

Outside of the Kurdistan Region, Anfa 8 is scheduled to make its world premiere at the 21st Jogja-NETPAC Asian Film Festival in Indonesia on November 30, 2026, screening as part of the Asian Perspectives Features selection.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Anfa 8". IMDb. Retrieved 2026-11-06.
  2. ↑ "The Epic of Gilgamesh Comes to the Silver Screen". Kurdistan Chronicle. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  3. ↑ Kardozi, Karzan (2025-10-11). "Anfa 8 (2026)". The Moving Silent. Retrieved 2026-11-06.
  4. ↑ "فیلمی "ئەنفا 8" لە سینەماکانی کوردستان نمایش دەکرێت". Kurdistan24 (in Central Kurdish). Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  5. ↑ "Anfa8". Mubi. Retrieved 2026-07-17.
  6. ↑ "کارزان کاردۆزی ناونیشانی نوێترین فیلمی سینەمایی خۆی ئاشکرا کرد". Channel 8 (in Central Kurdish). 2026-04-22. Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  7. ↑ "Anfa 8 (2026)". elCinema.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 2026-11-06.
  8. ↑ "فیلمی "ئەنفا 8" لە سینەماکانی کوردستان نمایش دەکرێت". Kurdistan24 (in Central Kurdish). Retrieved 2026-06-21.
  9. ↑ "Anfa 8 - JAFF 21st". JAFF Film Fest. Retrieved 2026-11-06.
  10. ↑ "Asian Perspectives Feature". JAFF Film Fest. Retrieved 2026-11-06.