The Cannes Film Festival is back for its 78th edition (May 13–24), and MENA filmmakers are showing up strong. From Egyptian thrillers to coming-of-age stories in Paris, these films are bold, emotional, and sharply political. Here’s a quick guide to the region’s standout titles in this year’s lineup.
Eagles of the Republic – Tarik Saleh
Swedish-Egyptian
Tarik Saleh wraps up his Cairo trilogy with a sharp political thriller starring Fares Fares once again. This time, he plays Egypt’s most adored actor who’s dragged into the power games of the state when he agrees to star in a propaganda film. Things spiral when he falls for a general’s wife. It’s sleek, risky, and loaded with tension.
La Petite Dernière – Hafsia Herzi
Tunisian-Algerian-French
This is a raw, personal coming-of-age story about Fatima, a teen from an immigrant family in the Paris suburbs. When she moves to a fancy prep school, she finds herself torn between tradition and freedom. Based on Fatima Daas’ novel and directed by Hafsia Herzi, it’s about identity, pressure, and growing up in between two worlds.
Aisha Can’t Fly Away – Morad Mostafa
Egyptian
Set in Cairo’s Ain Shams neighborhood, this story follows Aisha, a Somali migrant trying to navigate daily life as tensions rise and gangs take over. When one group offers her protection in exchange for a favor, things shift fast. Mostafa blends realism with thriller elements, creating something intimate and political, all while centering voices we rarely hear from.
Amrum – Fatih Akin
Turkish-German
Set on a remote island in 1945, this film follows 12-year-old Nanning, who’s doing everything he can to support his family in the final days of WWII. But when peace finally comes, new struggles emerge. Akin dives into post-war trauma with a grounded, emotional lens.
Once Upon a Time in Gaza – Tarzan & Arab Nasser
Palestinian
In 2007 Gaza, Yahya and his friend Osama start selling drugs from a falafel shop. But things get complicated when they clash with a corrupt cop. The Nasser twin brothers balance dark humor with the brutal realities of life under occupation, showing a side of Gaza rarely seen on screen.
Promised Sky – Erige Sehiri
Tunisian-French
Details are still under wraps, but Sehiri’s known for quiet, emotionally rich films like Under the Fig Trees. If her past work is any clue, this will be thoughtful, character-driven, and deeply grounded in lived experience.
This year’s Cannes lineup proves the MENA region isn’t just making great cinema—it’s shaping global film in fresh and fearless ways. From subtle character studies to sharp political thrillers, these directors are telling stories that hit hard and stick with you.
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