Article: "Gaharrak (The Parish)" – The First Kurdish Zombie Animated Series, Made Mostly with…

Article: "Gaharrak (The Parish)" – The First Kurdish Zombie Animated Series, Made Mostly with Mobile Phones in Sardasht

Introduction

In recent years, independent animation in Iran has taken significant steps forward, but few works are as unique as Gaharrak (English title: The Parish) in terms of production method and cultural identity. This 2D comedy–sci-fi animated series is a joint production of four Iranian studios (Anmpload Studio, Mini Animation Studio, Nex Studio, and Cheshm-e Khadrineh) and was created in the border city of Sardasht. What makes Gaharrak stand out is not only its Sorani Kurdish language and local setting, but also the fact that it was almost entirely made using mobile phones – proof that creativity can surpass expensive tools.

Season 1 Plot: Zombies Attack!

Contrary to the initial impression that Gaharrak might be a simple slice-of-life story about neighborhood teenagers, the first season has a major twist: zombies attack. The story begins with the ordinary life of a group of teenagers in a neighborhood called "Gaharrak" in Sardasht, but soon, unexpected sci-fi and horror events unfold. This mix of comedy, adventure, and zombie-themed suspense creates a fresh atmosphere in Iranian and Kurdish animation. Season 1, with a runtime of 14 minutes, was released in the winter of 2024 (1403 in the Iranian calendar) and serves as an introduction to a strange and dangerous world that the characters must face.

Production Method: Mostly with Mobile Phones

One of the most astonishing aspects of Gaharrak is its production process. Most of the designing and animating was done using mobile phones. The team used mobile software and their immense creativity to create a smooth 2D work. This method not only drastically reduced production costs but also proved that limited tools are no obstacle to telling engaging stories. Only small, detailed parts – such as character design and the design of vehicles (cars, motorcycles, and other means of transport) – were created with computers. The rest of the process, from animation to final compositing, was done on smartphones.

The Team and Voice Actors

The direction and writing are the work of three Kurdish artists living in Sardasht: Mehdi Mahmoudpour, Shayaan Salami, and Zaniyar Aminiazar. Mehdi Mahmoudpour himself is also one of the main voice actors. Other voice actors include Nima Rasouli, Soheil Moulaei, Mohammad Mollaamini, along with special voice artists Mardin Maroufzadeh, Mohammad Hassanpour, and Samyar Derakhshan. The collaboration of four independent studios demonstrates a strong sense of community in a region not usually known as an animation hub.

Season 2 and the Road Ahead

Following the reception of Season 1, the team released Season 2 with a longer runtime (about 30 minutes) in the summer of 2025 (1404). In this season, the teenagers' adventures continue against new threats, and the production quality has noticeably improved. Both seasons are freely available on YouTube, and Kurdish-speaking as well as non-Kurdish audiences have been able to connect with the work through unofficial subtitles.

Challenges and Cultural Significance

Creating an animated series with mobile phones in a city like Sardasht – facing economic and infrastructural limitations – is a small miracle. Without a big budget or a fully equipped studio, the team relied solely on talent and perseverance to create an entertaining work that also showcases Kurdish identity in animation. Using Sorani Kurdish in a sci-fi zombie story is a rare and attractive combination that has drawn the attention of many viewers both inside and outside Iran.

Conclusion

Gaharrak (The Parish) is more than just an animated series: it is a symbol of willpower, creativity, and the love of storytelling. It shows that even with a mobile phone, you can build a world full of adventure, laughter, and thrills. If you're interested in independent, off-mainstream animation, don't miss Gaharrak. And as its characters might say: in Gaharrak, you never know what creature is lurking behind the next wall – maybe a zombie, maybe a new adventure.