20/11/2025
A Powerful Tunisian Presence at the 46th Cairo International Film Festival
Tunisia made a standout appearance at CIFF46, participating across competition sections, the jury, and industry meetings — confirming its position as one of the most dynamic and daring film industries in the Arab world.
🎬 International Competition
• “Exile” by Mehdi Hmili follows Mohamed, a steel-factory worker whose life collapses after a brutal accident, leading him into a dark journey of revenge, corruption, and physical decay.
Director Hmili returns to Cairo after his acclaimed 2021 film Streams.
🎬 Arab Horizons Competition
• “Searching for Aïda” by Sarah Abidi — a delicate portrait of a woman confronting time, regret, and self-discovery inside a call center.
• “Round 13” by Mohamed Ali Nahdi — the emotional story of a retired boxer fighting for his family as his son faces a devastating diagnosis.
🎬 Official Selection – Out of Competition (Closing Film)
• “The Voice of Hind Rajab” by Kawther Ben Hania — inspired by the real tragedy of a 6-year-old Palestinian girl trapped in a bombed vehicle in Gaza. Tunisia’s official submission for the 2026 Oscars.
🎬 Short Film Competition
• “First Shame, Then Habit” by Meriem Ferjani — a haunting tale of two “undead” bodies wandering a city in search of connection.
• “Bird’s Illusion” by Rami Jarboui — following Yahya, a young man in a wheelchair who dreams of crossing the Mediterranean.
🎬 Cairo Industry Days – Co-Production Forum
• “Farewell Party”, the new project by Sarah Al Abed, showcased Tunisia’s emerging generation in global co-production networks.
From intimate storytelling to bold political cinema, Tunisia’s participation this year highlights a growing creative force reshaping the landscape of Arab filmmaking.
Follow for exclusive CIFF coverage, filmmaker interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights.