The animated short film The Route, distributed by Raft Film Company, has been selected to compete in the prestigious Grand Competition at the Seoul Independent Animation Festival (Indie-AniFest). Directed by Babak Beigi, the film tells the gripping story of a truck driver facing a moral reckoning amid a bleak world. The selection at Indie-AniFest, known for spotlighting creative and thought-provoking animations from Korea and Asia, further solidifies the film’s standing as a compelling piece in the global animation scene.
We are thrilled to announce that The Route, an animated short film distributed by Raft Film Company, has been officially selected to participate in the Grand Competition at the 2024 Seoul Independent Animation Festival, also known as Seoul Indie-AniFest. This acclaimed festival, organized by the Korean Independent Animation Filmmakers’ Association (KIAFA), will be held from September 26 to October 1 and serves as a key platform for showcasing the best independent animations from Korea and across Asia.
Directed by Babak Beigi, The Route explores the psychological unraveling of a truck driver burdened by a dark duty — transporting victims to their fate. Set in a stark, desolate landscape, the film delves into the moral and emotional toll of such a responsibility, challenging the protagonist to confront the grim reality of his role in a cycle of violence. The haunting narrative is further elevated by the atmospheric sound design of Zohreh Aliakbari, evocative background art by Denag Malekian, and an emotionally stirring score composed by Tohid Foruzan.
The selection of The Route for Indie-AniFest follows its recent inclusion in the Grand Competition at Animafest Zagreb, one of the world’s most esteemed animation festivals. Being chosen for yet another prestigious festival is a testament to the film’s compelling storytelling, unique artistic vision, and the immense talent of its creative team.
Seoul Indie-AniFest is known for championing the values of independence, experimentation, passion, and vision. The festival aims to support independent animators by providing a platform for diverse voices and creative expression. This year’s edition will feature a rich variety of works and foster an engaging dialogue between filmmakers and audiences.
The creative team behind The Route includes Babak Beigi, who served as the writer, director, character designer, storyboard artist, animator, editor, colorist, and producer, alongside producers Raha Zandiyeh and Pooria Khalaj Tehrani. Their dedication and collaborative spirit have resulted in a hauntingly beautiful film that resonates with audiences around the world.
The film’s journey through the international festival circuit continues to gain momentum, with each selection serving as an opportunity to reach new audiences and spark conversations about its powerful themes of duty, despair, and humanity.
We look forward to seeing The Route engage with audiences at Seoul Indie-AniFest and beyond, and we are excited to see where this remarkable film goes next.
Cause of Death: Unknown, written and directed by Ali Zarnegar and produced by Majid Barzegar, represents Iran at the 2026 Academy Awards and will compete in the Main Competition of the 11th Asian World Film Festival (AWFF) in Los Angeles. The film, set in Iran’s haunting Lut Desert, follows seven
The Iranian feature Cause of Death: Unknown, directed by Ali Zarnegar and produced by Majid Barzegar, has been officially selected as Iran’s submission for the 2026 Academy Awards. Represented internationally by Raft Films, the film has already won major prizes.
The Iranian drama Cause of Death: Unknown, directed by Ali Zarnegar, has officially been selected by Iran’s national committee as the country’s representative for the 2026 Academy Awards. The unanimous decision underscores the film’s artistic significance and its growing recognition on the global stage.
Every once in a while, a film rises beyond its plot and characters to hold up a mirror to an entire society. Cause of Death: Unknown, directed by Ali Zarnegar, is precisely such a work — not just a story, but an odyssey. Unfolding over the course of a night
