Woodpecker (2026): Cast, Story and Release Details

Prepared by Movies Dock Editorial

Woodpecker follows Cihan, a gay and Kurdish asylum seeker in the United States, through a series of intense encounters unfolding on the day of his immigration case hearing. Directed by Tanju Ozdemir, the 14-minute short is led by Raz Ayer and features Kurdish and Turkish dialogue.

Woodpecker is a 2026 short film centered on one demanding day in the life of Cihan, a gay and Kurdish asylum seeker in the United States. Its story unfolds around a significant immigration case hearing and the encounters that surround it.

With a runtime of 14 minutes, the film presents a focused premise built around personal vulnerability, immigration proceedings and mounting pressure. Tanju Ozdemir directs, with Raz Ayer playing Cihan.

Woodpecker movie details

Story without spoilers

The film follows Cihan as he faces his immigration case hearing in the US. On the same day, he moves through a series of intense encounters that shape the short’s dramatic situation. The supplied synopsis establishes the day’s central circumstances without revealing how those encounters unfold or what ultimately happens in the case.

What to expect

Woodpecker is a concise drama built around a single day and a clearly defined personal crisis. Its short format suggests a tightly contained narrative, while Cihan’s identity as a gay and Kurdish asylum seeker places the immigration hearing within a deeply personal context. The film is presented in Kurdish and Turkish.

Cast and creative team

Raz Ayer stars as Cihan. The film is directed by Tanju Ozdemir. No writer is listed in the supplied credits.

• Raz Ayer as Cihan

Release and production context

Woodpecker is a 2026 film with a listed release date of September 13, 2026. It has a runtime of 14 minutes and is presented in Kurdish and Turkish. The supplied information does not list a production country or production company.

Movies Dock view

Woodpecker offers a brief, focused premise about an asylum seeker navigating an important legal day while dealing with intense encounters around him. Viewers looking for a short film with a contemporary immigration-centered story can use its 14-minute runtime and multilingual presentation as useful points of context.

Film data:
TMDB · IMDb