Lights, Camera, Revolution: 6 Bold MENA Films Taking Cannes by Storm

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Middle East and North Africa filmmakers are not just making waves at the 78th Cannes Film Festival—they’re making history. This year’s lineup, running from May 13 to 24, is bursting with raw emotion, political edge, and unforgettable characters. Whether it’s the streets of Cairo or the quiet corners of post-war Germany, these films dive deep into identity, survival, and the messy in-betweens of life. Let’s take a whirlwind tour of the region’s most buzzworthy titles lighting up the Croisette.

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Eagles of the Republic – Tarik Saleh

Swedish-Egyptian filmmaker Tarik Saleh is wrapping up his gripping Cairo trilogy with Eagles of the Republic—and it’s a nail-biter. Starring Fares Fares, this high-stakes drama follows Egypt’s most beloved actor as he agrees to star in a state-sponsored propaganda film. The twist? He falls for a general’s wife, and suddenly, he’s deep in a game far bigger than he signed up for. It’s sleek, bold, and thrumming with tension.

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La Petite Dernière – Hafsia Herzi

Tunisian-Algerian-French director Hafsia Herzi delivers a deeply personal story based on the novel by Fatima Daas. La Petite Dernière follows Fatima, a teen from an immigrant family, as she trades her neighborhood in the Paris suburbs for the hallways of a ritzy prep school. Torn between tradition and newfound freedom, she’s figuring out who she really is in a world that won’t stop asking her to choose sides. It’s honest, raw, and heartbreakingly real.

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Aisha Can’t Fly Away – Morad Mostafa

Morad Mostafa takes us to Ain Shams, Cairo’s overlooked neighborhood, where Aisha, a Somali migrant, is just trying to survive. When rising tensions and gang threats close in, she’s forced to strike a deal for her safety—with consequences that spiral fast. Blending grounded realism with a thriller’s edge, Mostafa shines a spotlight on voices too often left out of the frame.

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Amrum – Fatih Akin

Set in 1945 on a windswept island, Amrum tells the story of 12-year-old Nanning, who’s desperately trying to hold his family together as WWII crumbles around them. But peace brings its own kind of pain. Directed by Fatih Akin, this is a quiet, emotional exploration of trauma, healing, and what comes after the war ends. Expect layered performances and stunning cinematography.

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Once Upon a Time in Gaza – Tarzan & Arab Nasser

The Nasser twin brothers return with a gritty, darkly funny tale set in 2007 Gaza. Yahya and Osama are slinging falafel by day—and selling drugs by night—until a corrupt cop turns their world upside down. With signature wit and unflinching honesty, the Nassers paint a portrait of Gaza that’s as complicated as it is compelling. This isn’t the Gaza we’re used to seeing—and that’s the point.

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Promised Sky – Erige Sehiri

While details remain hush-hush, if Erige Sehiri’s past work (Under the Fig Trees) is anything to go by, Promised Sky will be a quiet powerhouse. Known for her emotionally textured storytelling and keen eye for everyday beauty, Sehiri is likely crafting another gem rooted in human experience. Consider this one a must-watch sleeper hit.

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Cannes is Listening—and MENA is Speaking Boldly

This year’s festival isn’t just a celebration—it’s a statement. These MENA filmmakers are proving that their stories aren’t just local—they’re global, gripping, and impossible to ignore. Whether you're into coming-of-age drama, sharp political thrillers, or deeply human tales of survival, this lineup delivers in every frame.

So grab your popcorn—and maybe a notebook. These are the stories the world will be talking about next.

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