Water Bicycle receives Best Short Film and Best Actor awards at the eighth Baghdad International Travelling Cinema Festival
The Kurdish short film Water Bicycle, directed by Siavash Saedpanah, has won two awards at the eighth Baghdad International Travelling Cinema Festival.
The film received the Best Short Film award, while its actor Armin Azizi was named Best Actor.
Saedpanah said the two awards were an important achievement for the film, particularly as it continues to participate in international film festivals.
“These two awards came at a time when the film, over the course of its international participations, has drawn the attention of judges and cinema audiences,” Saedpanah said.
Water Bicycle has previously been screened at the Duhok International Film Festival and the Sulaymaniyah International Film Festival as part of their Kurdish short film sections.
At the Sulaymaniyah festival, Saedpanah also participated as a director in a special panel discussion, where he shared his experience and knowledge with filmmakers and other participants.
The film has also received recognition at international festivals. According to Saedpanah, Water Bicycle won Best Film at the Paris Cinematic International Film Festival in 2026. It has also been selected for the Palestine House Film and Art Festival in London and the Haifa International Film Festival.
In addition, the film was selected for the main competition section for Kurdish narrative films at the 2026 Kobani International Film Festival.
Speaking about the film’s story, Saedpanah said Water Bicycle presents a human and social story centered on the life of a teacher in mountainous areas.
“The short film tells a human and social story and portrays the life and feelings of the people of mountainous areas in the language of cinema,” he said.
According to the director, the film explores themes including loss, loneliness, compassion, humanity and forgiveness.
Through its participation in local, regional and international festivals, Water Bicycle has brought a Kurdish story to wider cinema audiences. Its recent awards in Baghdad add to the film’s growing recognition and international festival record.