Marking a decade of spotlighting regional excellence, the Arab Cinema Center (ACC) has officially announced the finalists for the 10th edition of the Critics Awards for Arab Films. The winners are set to be honored on May 16th during a prestigious ceremony at the Plage des Palmes, held on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival.
This year’s edition is distinguished by a massive international jury of 307 film critics from 75 countries, who cast their votes for the standout Arab productions of the past year. The nominations showcase a powerful surge in Palestinian storytelling, which dominates several major categories.
The Frontrunners
Leading the nominations is Annemarie Jacir’s “Palestine 36” with six nods, followed closely by Maryam Touzani’s Moroccan drama “Calle Málaga” with five. Cherien Dabis’s “All That’s Left of You” secured four nominations, while “Yunan”, “My Father’s Scent”, and “Once Upon a Time in Gaza” each earned three spots on the shortlist. Other films making an impact with multiple nominations include “Promised Sky”, “The Voice of Hind Rajab”, “A Sad and Beautiful World”, and “Aisha Can’t Fly Away”.
Major Categories and Acting Tussles
The race for Best Feature Film sees a competitive lineup featuring Once Upon a Time in Gaza, Palestine 36, All That’s Left of You, Calle Málaga, and Sudan’s Cotton Queen. The Best Director category mirrors this excellence, with Maryam Touzani, Cherien Dabis, Annemarie Jacir, and the Nasser brothers competing alongside Kaouther Ben Hania.
In the performance categories, the Best Actress nominees include Deborah Christelle Naney, Mounia Akl, Yasmine Al Massri, Carmen Maura, and Baneen Ahmad Nayyef. On the Best Actor side, the competition is equally fierce between Adham Shukr, Nawwaf Aldaferi, Dhafer L’Abidine, Georges Khabbaz, and Ahmed Malek.
Craft and Technical Excellence
The awards also celebrate the technical mastery behind the camera. The Best Screenplay category features writing teams from Once Upon a Time in Gaza, All That’s Left of You, and My Father’s Scent. In the Best Cinematography field, visual storytellers like Hélène Louvart and Mostafa El Kashef are recognized for their striking imagery. The Best Music and Best Editing categories further highlight the regional depth, featuring renowned names like Amine Bouhafa and Ahmed Hafez.
Documentaries and Shorts
The Best Documentary category brings vital social issues to the forefront with nominees such as The Lions by the River Tigris, Khartoum, and 50 Meters. Meanwhile, the Best Short Film category highlights innovative brief narratives, including L’Mina and I’m Glad You’re Dead Now.
Launched a decade ago during the 70th Cannes Film Festival, the Critics Awards for Arab Films remains a vital platform for amplifying Arab voices. Organized in partnership with Festival Scope, this 10th edition reaffirms the ACC’s commitment to honoring the craft and diversity of Arab cinema on the world’s most influential stage.
