
Arab Cinema at Cannes 2025: Seven Films That Stood Out
May 25, 2025
Arab cinema had a commanding presence at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, with seven films selected across the official lineup and parallel sections, and four winning major awards. From restored milestones to urgent new works, this year's entries from Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, Algeria and Morocco offered unflinching perspectives on war, repression, and the quiet moments that define human resilience… Sirât | Jury Prize — Main Competition
Director: Óliver Laxe
A father and son wander through the trance-soaked deserts of Morocco searching for a missing daughter. What unfolds is less a quest than a descent—into grief, memory, and spiritual reckoning. Once Upon a Time in Gaza | Best Director — Un Certain Regard
Directors: Tarzan & Arab Nasser
Set in 2007 Gaza, a student and a falafel vendor are pulled into the drug trade. Darkly funny and deeply political, the film earned the Nasser brothers the top directing prize in Un Certain Regard. The President's Cake | People's Choice Award — Directors' Fortnight
Director: Hasan Hadi
In 1990s Iraq, a young girl is assigned to bake Saddam Hussein's birthday cake. In a nation strangled by fear, a simple pastry becomes a question of survival. I'm Glad You're Dead Now | Short Film — Palme d'Or
Director: Tawfeek Barhom
Two brothers return to their childhood island. A long-buried secret awaits them, forcing a reckoning with the trauma they've spent their lives avoiding. Put Your Soul On Your Hand and Walk | ACID Selection
Director: Sepideh Farsi
Constructed through video calls with a young woman in Gaza, this documentary captures everyday life under Israeli bombardment. Its subject, Palestinian photojournalist Fatima Hassouna, was killed in an Israeli airstrike—along with nine relatives—just one day after the film was selected for Cannes. The festival issued a public statement honouring her and condemning the violence. Saïd Effendi (1958) | Cannes Classics
Director: Kameran Hosni
A rare restoration from Iraq's cinematic archive, 'Saïd Effendi' returned to the screen this year as part of Cannes' celebration of global film heritage. Waqai Sinin Al-Djamr (Chronicles of the Years of Fire, 1975) | Cannes Classics
Director: Mohamed Lakhdar Hamina
Algeria's only Palme d'Or winner, restored for a new generation. Its return marked 50 years since the film first stunned Cannes in 1975.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


See - Sada Elbalad
11 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
US Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Passes away
Rana Atef On Thursday, WWE and US wrestling legend Hulk Hogan died at the age of 71, his manager confirmed. Chris Volo told NBC Los Angeles that Hogan suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida, and died surrounded by his family. Rumors about Hogan's health have trended for weeks, after he reportedly was hospitalized. Just last week, his wife, Sky, denied rumors that he was in a coma, stating that his heart was 'strong' after multiple surgeries. Known from his blonde horseshoe mustache and bandanas, Hogan was one of the most popular wrestling stars of the 1980s and considered one of the sport's greatest of all time. Known for his ring movements, he helped transform professional wrestling into entertainment, primarily through his partnership with Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). In 1996, Hogan founded the New World Order (NWO) and became Hollywood Hulk Hogan. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. read more Japan Stun Spain 2-1 to Qualify for World Cup Last 16 World Cup 2022: Get to Know Confirmed Line-ups of Japan and Spain Group E Decider Saudi Arabia Bid Farewell to World Cup after 2-1 Loss to Mexico Tunisia Achieve Historic Win over France but Fail to Qualify Tunisia to Clash against France in World Cup Sports Get to Know Squad of Group D Teams in World Cup Sports Al Ahly Gift EGP 70,000 to Players After Claiming Egyptian Super Cup Title Sports Bencharki Hits First 2 Goals with Al Jazira Since Leaving Zamalek Sports Arsenal Possible Line-up for Nottingham Forest News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks


See - Sada Elbalad
12 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Turkish Ambassador Announces Polaris Industrial Zone in Sedat City
H-Tayea Turkish Ambassador to Egypt, Salih Mutlu Şen, has reported a major new development in regional industrial cooperation, announcing that Polaris International Parks is launching a $50 million industrial zone project in Sedat City. The initiative, led by General Manager Osman Arıkan, will span 1.3 million square meters and is set to accommodate 200 factories, marking a significant step forward in strengthening Turkish-Egyptian economic ties. According to Arıkan, the new industrial zone reflects Polaris's strategic vision to foster large-scale, high-impact industrial growth in key locations across the region. With a focus on infrastructure readiness, investor attraction, and export potential, the Sedat City project is expected to become a major hub for advanced manufacturing and logistics. The project underlines the growing momentum in Turkish-Egyptian industrial collaboration, with Ambassador Şen emphasizing the importance of such ventures in expanding bilateral trade, creating employment opportunities, and supporting long-term development in both countries. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks


See - Sada Elbalad
17 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Turkish Ambassador Holds Meeting with Cairo Governor and FEI President
Nada Mustafa Turkish Ambassador to Egypt Salih Mutlu Şen announced that a meeting was held at the Federation of Egyptian Industries with Ibrahim Saber, Governor of Cairo, and Mr. Mohamed El Sewedy, President of the Federation. During the meeting, the parties discussed recent initiatives by Polaris Parks International regarding industrial zones, as well as developments in the electric vehicle sector. They also agreed to schedule a separate meeting with the Governor in the near future. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks