Sudanese first-time director Mohamed Kordofani’s film “Goodbye Julia” made quite a splash at the eighth Critics Awards for Arab Films held on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival. It secured both the best feature film and best screenplay awards, showcasing Kordofani's talent and storytelling prowess.
Adding to the celebration of Arab talent, French-Tunisian composer Amin Bouhafa was honored with the best music award for his work on “Hajjan,” a film based in Saudi Arabia.
Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s film “Four Daughters” also shone brightly, earning three accolades: Best director for Ben Hania, best documentary, and best editing. Despite narrowly missing out on the Best Documentary win at the Academy Awards, the film's success at this event underscores its impactful storytelling.
“Inshallah a Boy” by Amjad Al-Rasheed garnered recognition as well, with Palestinian star Mouna Hawa winning the best actress prize and Kanamé Onoyama receiving the best cinematography award.
Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri was honored with the best actor prize for his role in “The Teacher,” showcasing the depth of talent in the region. Meanwhile, Egyptian filmmaker Morad Mostafa’s “I Promise You Paradise” stood out in the best short film category.
These awards, organized by the Arab Cinema Centre (ACC) and voted on by 225 critics from over 70 countries, highlight the diversity and excellence of Arab cinema on the global stage.