Each year, Arab cinema garners increasing international recognition, showcasing a diverse array of compelling narratives from the MENA region, and 2025 is no different. While some selections, such as the Red Sea Film Foundation-supported Aisha Can’t Fly Away, may be familiar, MOJEH presents an essential introduction to the five noteworthy Arab feature films premiering at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
Aisha Can’t Fly Away by Morad Mostafa
Directed by Morad Mostafa, the Egyptian drama Aisha Can’t Fly Away follows the story of Aisha, a 26-year-old immigrant living in Ain-shams, a Cairo neighbourhood with a large African migrant population. The film, through its plot, looks into the social and political landscape of the region in an effort to understand the tensions that arise between Egyptians and the various African nationalities occupying the neighbourhood. Mostafa adopts a style that allows audiences to feel the struggles of the migratory crisis with a silent style of filmmaking. The film marks the return of Egyptian cinema to Cannes' Un Certain Regard after nine years.
La Petite Dernière by Hafsia Herzi
An adaptation of Fatima Daas’ novel The Last One, Hafsia Herzi’s La Petite Dernière is a coming-of-age feature film that follows Fatima, the youngest daughter of an Algerian immigrant family living in Paris. The story revolves around Fatima’s journey of finding faith, figuring out her sexuality and pursuing her ambitions. The movie is part of the official lineup at Cannes and will be competing against films like A Simple Accident by Jafar Panahi and The Phoenician Scheme by Wes Anderson. As filmmakers like Herzi spotlight female experiences, the international film community continues to encourage dialogue on the topic and in turn contribute to the larger discourse.
Eagles of the Republic by Tarik Saleh
Eagles of the Republic, written and directed by Tarik Saleh, concludes the filmmaker's acclaimed Cairo trilogy, a political thriller series that includes The Nile Hilton Incident, winner of the 2023 Sundance Grand Jury Prize, and Boy From Heaven, which received the Best Screenplay award at Cannes in 2022. Eagles of the Republic is competing for the Palme d’Or prize at Cannes and, considering Saleh’s track record, is arguably one of the strongest competitors in the lineup. The movie is centred around main character George El-Nawabi, an actor who upsets the authorities, leading him to accept an offer he wouldn’t have considered otherwise.
Once Upon a Time in Gaza by Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Being screened under Un Certain Regard at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, Once Upon a Time in Gaza is a feature film that has caught everybody’s attention. The film, directed by Palestinian brothers Tarzan and Arab Nasser, is set in 2007 Gaza and is centred around a young student and his friendship with a restaurant owner. The plot follows the two as they peddle illegal substances disguised as falafel deliveries, narrating the hurdles that come along the way. While the Gaza-born twins are known for their romantic drama, Gaza Mon Amour, their recent venture deviates from the genre to explore more complex themes.
Promised Sky by Erige Sehiri
French-Tunisian director Erige Sehiri’s Promised Sky is yet another selection from the MENA region for the Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival. The plot follows Marie, an Ivorian pastor and former journalist, who helps vulnerable women as they navigate difficulties in their lives. Despite the heaviness of the plotline, the movie is lighthearted and punctuated with laughs as the story tells tales of its unique characters.
