At the 77th Cannes Film Festival, the eighth Critics Awards for Arab Films spotlighted the global recognition of Arab cinema, with Goodbye Julia, Four Daughters, and Inshallah a Boy emerging as the major winners. This is a testament to the industry’s growth and talent.
The ceremony, set against the backdrop of Cannes’ beaches, was organised by the Arab Cinema Centre in collaboration with MAD Solutions, the International Emerging Film Talent Association, and the NEFT Emerging Film Talent International Competition.
This year’s awards saw the participation of 225 film critics from around the globe, who evaluated the best in Arab filmmaking from 2023 via Festival Scope, an ACC partner platform.
Goodbye Julia, directed by Sudanese filmmaker Mohamed Kordofani, won Best Feature Film and Best Screenplay awards. The film, the first Sudanese film to be included in the Cannes Film Festival’s official selection, depicts the complex relationship between two women from different backgrounds during the lead-up to South Sudan’s 2011 secession. Its insightful commentary on morality and reconciliation resonated with the diverse audience, making them feel represented and included.
Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s Four Daughters won Best Director, Best Documentary, and Best Editing. The film, which was an Oscar contender, narrates the story of Olfa Hamrouni, a Tunisian woman vilified after her two eldest daughters joined ISIS in Libya in 2016.
In the Best Actress category, Palestinian actress Mouna Hawa received accolades for her role in Inshallah a Boy. This film, directed by Jordanian filmmaker Amjad Al Rasheed, earned the Best Cinematography award.
Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri won the Best Actor award for his performance in Farah Nabulsi’s The Teacher.
Egyptian filmmaker Morad Mostafa’s I Promise You Paradise won the Best Short Film category, a new addition to the awards. French-Tunisian composer Amin Bouhafa received the Best Music award for Hajjan.
The ACC Achievement Award for Film Critics celebrated the invaluable contributions of British critic Peter Bradshaw and Lebanese critic Nadim Jarjoura to film criticism. This recognition underscores the crucial role that film critics play in shaping the industry and making the audience feel the importance of their role.
