The President's Cake In Cinemas
Winner of the Cannes 2025 Camera d'Or and the Directors' Fortnight Audience Award, THE PRESIDENT'S CAKE has been widely acclaimed by critics around the world.
Set in 1991 Iraq during the final years of Saddam Hussein's rule, the film follows nine-year-old Lamia, whose class is ordered to celebrate the President's birthday by baking a cake. In a country gripped by sanctions and shortages, even the simplest ingredients are scarce and costly - turning the task into something far more daunting than it first appears, especially as failure to comply will result in punishment.
Setting out from her village with her elderly grandmother – and pet rooster Hindi - to source the ingredients, Lamia's journey soon takes an unexpected turn when the two become separated along the way. Determined to complete the task, Lamia continues on, eventually joined by her loyal best friend Saeed. Together, the children embark on a remarkable journey to the city, navigating a landscape shaped by hardship, watchful authority and the quiet resilience of everyday life.
Along the way they encounter moments of danger, kindness and humour that test their courage and deepen their friendship. Seen through the eyes of a child, THE PRESIDENT'S CAKE is a moving and genuinely uplifting story about ingenuity, loyalty and the small acts of hope that endure even in the most difficult circumstances.
View Trailer
"…SUBLIME…one of this year's most exciting discoveries…" RogerEbert.com
"…THOROUGHLY ENGAGING.…Hadi's film is an exceptional screen debut…" THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
"…ENCHANTING…this is a true gem and a real discovery from Hasan Hadi." DEADLINE.COM
In Cinemas April 2
Set in 1991 Iraq during the final years of Saddam Hussein's rule, the film follows nine-year-old Lamia, whose class is ordered to celebrate the President's birthday by baking a cake. In a country gripped by sanctions and shortages, even the simplest ingredients are scarce and costly - turning the task into something far more daunting than it first appears, especially as failure to comply will result in punishment.
Setting out from her village with her elderly grandmother – and pet rooster Hindi - to source the ingredients, Lamia's journey soon takes an unexpected turn when the two become separated along the way. Determined to complete the task, Lamia continues on, eventually joined by her loyal best friend Saeed. Together, the children embark on a remarkable journey to the city, navigating a landscape shaped by hardship, watchful authority and the quiet resilience of everyday life.
Along the way they encounter moments of danger, kindness and humour that test their courage and deepen their friendship. Seen through the eyes of a child, THE PRESIDENT'S CAKE is a moving and genuinely uplifting story about ingenuity, loyalty and the small acts of hope that endure even in the most difficult circumstances.
View Trailer
"…SUBLIME…one of this year's most exciting discoveries…" RogerEbert.com
"…THOROUGHLY ENGAGING.…Hadi's film is an exceptional screen debut…" THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
"…ENCHANTING…this is a true gem and a real discovery from Hasan Hadi." DEADLINE.COM
In Cinemas April 2
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