Tunisia once again stands out at the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), with a remarkable and diverse presence across the main competition, Arab selections, and industry programs. The 46th edition of the festival, held from November 12 to 21, 2025, brings together some of the most prominent voices in Arab and international cinema — and shines a spotlight on the vitality of contemporary Tunisian filmmaking, where established directors meet emerging talents.
Leyla Bouzid serves on the jury of the International Competition, the festival’s most prestigious section. Known for As I Open My Eyes (2015) and A Tale of Love and Desire (2021), Bouzid’s inclusion on the jury underscores the growing influence of Tunisian cinema on the global stage.
In the International Competition, Tunisia is represented by Exile, directed by Mehdi Hmili (Tunisia, Luxembourg, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, 2025, 120 min).
The film follows Mohamed, a steelworker injured in an explosion that leaves a metal fragment lodged in his skull. As he is pushed out of his job, his body slowly deteriorates and he descends into a spiral of revenge, exposing corruption and injustice in a decaying system. Hmili continues his exploration of human struggle and resilience, combining intensity and poetry in equal measure.
The director previously took part in the Cairo International Film Festival in 2021, when his film Streams was screened in the Horizons of Arab Cinema competition.
In the Horizons of Arab Cinema competition, two Tunisian features draw attention.
The first, Looking for Aida by Sarra Abidi (Tunisia, 2025, 89 min), is set in a call center where Ayda’s life takes an unexpected turn after the sudden departure of a longtime colleague. Filled with unspoken feelings, regrets, and a search for meaning, the film offers an introspective look at a woman questioning her path and desires.
The second, Round 13 by Mohamed Ali Nahdi (Tunisia, 2025, 89 min), explores the story of Kamel, a former boxing champion who gave up his career for love. When his son Sabri breaks his arm and is diagnosed with a malignant tumor, the family faces heartbreak and resilience in the face of suffering.
Nahdi previously participated in the Cairo International Film Festival in 2019 with his short film Fatum, which was selected for the official short film competition.
In the Official Selection – Out of Competition, the festival’s closing film is The Voice of Hind Rajab by Kaouther Ben Hania (Tunisia, France, 2025, 89 min). Following The Man Who Sold His Skin and Four Daughters, the filmmaker presents another highly anticipated work exploring the intersection between the personal and the political.
The Voice of Hind Rajab has been selected by Tunisia as the country’s official submission for the 2026 Oscars.
Tunisian cinema is also visible in the Short Film Competition, with two distinctive titles:
– First the Blush Then the Habit by Mariam Al Farjani (Tunisia, Italy, 2025), in which Layla and Ettore — two “undead” souls — wander the city at night, haunted by war, loneliness, and forbidden desire.
– The Bird’s Placebo by Rami Jarboui (Tunisia, Qatar, Germany, 2025), following Yahya, a young man in a wheelchair from a marginalized neighborhood of Tunis, whose dream of crossing the Mediterranean takes an unexpected turn after a mysterious encounter.
Within the industry section, the Cairo Film Connection, part of the Cairo Industry Days, hosts Sarra El Abed with her new project Goodbye Party (Tunisia, Canada). Supported by several institutions, the project highlights the dynamism of a new generation of Tunisian filmmakers active in international coproduction markets.
El Abed had already been involved in regional coproduction programs and gained recognition with her earlier short films before being invited this year to the Cairo Film Connection.
From social dramas to intimate portraits and universal narratives, Tunisia’s participation at CIFF 2025 reflects the strength and diversity of its cinema — one that continues to assert itself as among the most vibrant and daring in the Arab world.
Neïla Driss
