The President's Cake
| The President’s Cake | |
|---|---|
| Arabic | مملكة القصب |
| Directed by | Hasan Hadi |
| Written by | Hasan Hadi |
| Produced by | Leah Chen Baker |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Tudor Vladimir Panduru |
| Edited by | Andu Radu |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Sony Pictures Classics (United States) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 102 minutes |
| Countries |
|
| Language | Arabic |
The President's Cake (Arabic: مملكة القصب) is a 2025 internationally co-produced drama film, written and directed by Hasan Hadi in his directorial debut. It stars Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Sajad Mohamad Qasem, Waheed Thabet Khreibat and Rahim AlHaj.
The film had its world premiere at the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2025, where it won the section's Audience Award and the Caméra d'Or.
Premise
[edit]Nine-year-old Lamia must gather ingredients to bake a mandatory cake to celebrate the President's birthday, or face punishment.
Cast
[edit]- Baneen Ahmad Nayyef as Lamia
- Sajad Mohamad Qasem as Saeed
- Waheed Thabet Khreibat as Bibi
- Rahim AlHaj as Jasim
Production
[edit]The film received support and grants from the Doha Film Institute,[1] and SFFILM Ranin Grant.[2] It was also selected for the 2022 Sundance Institute Directing and Screenwriting Labs.[3][4] Marielle Heller, Eric Roth and Chris Columbus are among the executive producers.[5][6][7]
Release
[edit]The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Directors' Fortnight section, on May 16, 2025.[8] It became the first film from Iraq to compete at the festival.[9] Later that month, Sony Pictures Classics acquired distribution rights to the film in North and Latin America, Eastern Europe, India and Southeast Asia.[10]
Accolades
[edit]| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cannes Film Festival | 23 May 2025 | Directors' Fortnight Audience Award | Hasan Hadi | Won | [11] |
| 24 May 2025 | Camera d'Or | Won | [12] |
References
[edit]- ^ "The President's Cake". Doha Film Institute. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ "Announcing the 2022 SFFILM Rainin Grant Winners". SFFILM. August 22, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ "Meet the 2022 Fellows in the Native, Directors, and Screenwriters Labs". Sundance Institute. May 9, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (January 14, 2022). "Sundance Institute Sets Fellows For 2022 Screenwriters Lab". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ Dalton, Ben (April 28, 2025). "Films Boutique boards Hasan Hadi's Cannes Directors' Fortnight title 'The President's Cake' from Iraq". Screen International. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ Linden, Sheri (May 16, 2025). "'The President's Cake' Review: An Iraqi Schoolgirl's Odyssey Among Grown-ups Is a Tragicomic Gem". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ Carson, Diane (May 24, 2025). "THE PRESIDENT'S CAKE (Cannes FF 2025) – Review by Diane Carson". Alliance of Women Film Journalists. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (April 15, 2025). "Cannes Directors' Fortnight Unveils 2025 Line-Up; 'Enzo' Opener & 'Sorry, Baby' Closer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
- ^ "Iraq's first filmmaker in Cannes says sanctions no piece of cake". France 24. 2025-05-18. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (May 27, 2025). "Sony Pictures Classics Takes North America & Multiple Territories For Cannes Caméra D'Or Winner 'The President's Cake'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ "Festival de Cannes 2025: The winners of the Directors' Fortnight". Manon de Sortiraparis. May 23, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ Gularte, Alejandra (May 24, 2025). "It Was Just an Accident Wins Neon's Sixth Palme d'Or". Vulture. Retrieved May 25, 2025.