The highly anticipated debut feature from Sudanese filmmaker Suzannah Mirghani, “Cotton Queen”, is set to hit cinemas across Egypt starting May 6. This release follows a successful run on the international festival circuit. It is part of the CineMAD initiative, spearheaded by MAD Solutions, which aims to showcase acclaimed Arab films to a wider regional audience.
“Cotton Queen” has recently bolstered its accolades, securing the Jury Prize for Best Film at the Luxor African Film Festival and the Grand Prize for Best Feature at the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH). These wins contribute to the film’s impressive tally of four major awards since its debut at the Critics’ Week of the Venice International Film Festival.
In addition to these honours, the film captured the Audience Award at the Doha Film Festival during its Arab premiere, the prestigious Golden Alexander “Theo Angelopoulos” Award for Best Feature at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, and the TV5 Monde Award for Best First Feature at the Carthage Film Festival.
Set in a cotton-farming village in Sudan, the narrative centres on Nafisa, a young woman inspired by her grandmother Al-Sit, the village matriarch who shares stories of resistance. When a business person returns with plans to implement development and introduce genetically modified cotton, Nafisa finds herself in a battle for her community’s future. Amid rising tensions, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery, determined to protect her village and its cultural heritage.
The cast includes Mihad Murtada, Rabha Mohamed Mahmoud, Talaat Fareed, Haram Bisheer, Mohamed Musa, and Hassan Mohi El Din.
Written and directed by Mirghani, “Cotton Queen” features cinematography by Frida Marzouk and an original score by Amine Bouhafa. The film’s editing was done by a team comprising Amparo Mejías, Simon Blasi, and Frank Müller.
This international co-production involves partnerships from Germany, France, Palestine, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, with Arab distribution managed by MAD Distribution in collaboration with Film Clinic Indie Distribution.
Mirghani is widely recognised for her acclaimed short film “Al-Sit”, which garnered international accolades, including the Canal+ Award at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in 2021. With “Cotton Queen”, she cements her status as a rising star in the realm of international cinema.
