HOME: The Story of Zak Moradi, a powerful documentary about Kurdish refugee Zak Moradi who found a new home and a new passion in Ireland, will receive its world premiere this Friday at Galway Film Fleadh. The screening, exploring Zak’s life here and his return to his homeland of Kurdistan, will take place this Friday afternoon, July 12 at the city’s Pálás cinema.

Zak, who spent his early years in a refugee camp in Iraq, came to Ireland as a refugee and has become a key member of the community in his new homeland. This documentary, supported by the philanthropic One Foundation, provides an insight into his experiences as it follows him home to Kurdistan after more than two decades in Ireland.

Zak was thrilled to have the opportunity to tell his story.

“Visiting the refugee camps was very emotional; it brought back a lot of memories,” he says. “It reminded me of where I started and how I’ve changed as a person – from having nothing but the clothes on my back to having a good life.”

Sharing this journey was important, Zak says, because it’s “not just my story, but the story of refugees.

“Refugees are all around the world now. People don’t know what a refugee is until it comes to their own doorstep. It’s not something you choose; it’s something forced upon you, and you have to fight to survive. No one wants to be a refugee”.

The film explores how Zak and his family have built new, vibrant lives in Ireland, with Kurdish and Irish cultures merging as the family become entwined in their local communities. Gaelic games, especially hurling, have become a cornerstone of Zak’s life.

Zak and his family settled in Leitrim in 2002, when he was 11. The film traces his time there as he reveals the challenges he faced and how he adapted to his new home.

He’s now based in Dublin and the film captures him in his role as a hurling coach, passing on his expertise to local children. He also works with organisations such as Migrants Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI), Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI) and The One Foundation to combat racism and discrimination.

Zak’s journey to Iraqi Kurdistan is a poignant chapter in the film. As he visits cities like Sulaymaniyah and Erbil, experiencing Kurdish culture and values, he reflect on his roots, observes the changes in his homeland and discusses his people’s hopes for the future.

He also visits Halabja, the site of a devastating chemical attack by Iraq in 1988, and the vast refugee camps in Arbat and Barika, charting how this conflict and the ongoing Kurdish refugee crisis has affected so many lives.

“It was an honour to be trusted to lead this documentary and tell Zak’s story,” says director Trevor Whelan. “His journey from Iraq to Ireland is inspiring and illustrates the important duty we have to offer safety and care to those who are vulnerable and persecuted.”

Trevor praises the film’s editor Ciaran Murray, composer, Eric Whelan and director of photography Rua Meehan for their roles in telling “this emotive and impactful story”.

The world premiere of  HOME: The Story of Zak Moradi, will take place this Friday, July 12, at 4.15pm and will be followed by a post-show discussion with members of the crew.

Pictured: Zak Moradi was 11 years old when his Kurdish family arrived in Ireland as refugees from Iraq. A talented hurler, he now coaches youth teams in Dublin.