One of the world’s most iconic film festivals is making its grand return this month. Of course, we’re talking about the Cannes Film Festival, which kicks off its 78th edition on May 13. Organizers have unveiled a diverse official selection, featuring films across various categories. Notably, several films helmed by Arab filmmakers are part of this year’s lineup, reflecting the growing global recognition of Arab cinema. Below, five Arab films to catch at La Croisette.
‘La Petite Dernière’ by Hafsia Herzi
French-Algerian-Tunisian screenwriter and actress Hafsia Herzi’s feature follows a young Algerian girl named Fatima who moves from her tight-knit suburban home to study philosophy in Paris, where she’s pulled between the values of her religious upbringing and the allure of newfound freedom in the city.
‘Eagles of the Republic’ by Tarik Saleh
The upcoming political thriller film written and directed by Swedish-Egyptian filmmaker Tarik Saleh is the final installment of his Cairo trilogy, following The Nile Hilton Incident (2017) and Boy from Heaven (2022). It tells the story of an adored actor, George El-Nabawi, who falls into disgrace with the authorities overnight.
‘Aisha Can’t Fly Away’ by Morad Mostafa
Starring Buliana Simon Arop, Emad Ghoniem, and rapper Ziad Zaza, Morad Mostafa’s debut feature is premiering in the Cannes Un Certain Regard section. The plot revolves around Aisha, a 26-year-old Somali woman living in Ain-Shams— a Cairo neighborhood home to a large African migrant community.
‘Once Upon a Time in Gaza’ by Arab and Tarzan Nasser
Also set to premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, this gripping thriller by brothers Arab and Tarzan Nasser unfolds in Gaza, where Yahia’s life is upended by the brutal murder of his friend Ossama. As Hamas tightens its control over the region, Yahia embarks on a path of revenge, only to have his convictions challenged when he confronts Ossama’s killer, leading him to question the true cost of vengeance.
‘Promised Sky’ by Erige Sehiri
French-Tunisian filmmaker Erige Sehiri, known for Under the Fig Trees (2022) and Railway Men (2018), often focuses on the lives of everyday individuals, highlighting their personal stories and struggles. Her latest feature film, Promised Sky, will be no different. The film is set to premiere in the Un Certain Regard section.
