This May, three films supported through AFAC’s Documentary Film and Cinema programs will screen at the Cannes Film Festival, highlighting the continued presence of regional cinema on the international stage. Selected for Un Certain Regard, Semaine de la Critique, and ACID Cannes, these films reflect the diverse and evolving voices within the region. Their inclusion speaks to the power of storytelling to resonate with both local and global audiences.
Aisha Can’t Fly Away
Directed by Egyptian filmmaker Morad Mostafa, a Berlinale Talents and Locarno Academy alumnus, Aisha Can’t Fly Away is set to screen in Un Certain Regard. The film follows Aisha, a Somali migrant in Cairo, who becomes entangled in a criminal scheme. Haunted by her reality and trapped in a joyless relationship, she begins hallucinating an ostrich helping her navigate trauma and fear.
L’mina
Selected for Semaine de la Critique, L’mina is a striking blend of fiction and documentary by Moroccan artist-filmmaker Randa Maroufi, whose work has been featured at international biennials and museums.
L’mina reconstructs the lives of coal miners in the town of Jerada, bringing together local residents who play themselves in a poignant reflection on labor, memory, and community. L’mina captures the power of collective storytelling to shed light on untold histories, offering a powerful reflection on labor and collective memory.
Life After Siham
In Life After Siham, Egyptian filmmaker Namir Abdel Messeeh turns the camera on himself in a deeply personal exploration of grief and memory. Screening in ACID Cannes, this intimate documentary follows Namir as he navigates the loss of his mother, using cinema as a means to resurrect and preserve her memory. The film is a moving tribute to the healing power of creativity and the enduring bond between life and art.