Iraqi filmmaker based in New York. His short Swimsuit won awards at Urbanworld and was distributed by HBO Max. Recipient of Sundance/NHK Award (2022). Debut feature The President’s Cake (2025) premiered at Cannes. His work often explores Iraqi identity and survival
In 1990s Iraq, 9-year-old Lamia must bake the President’s birthday cake. She scrambles to find ingredients for this compulsory task while facing potential punishment if she fails
Baneen Ahmad – Lamia; Nayyef Sajad; Mohamad Qasem
Tudor Vladimir Panduru – Cinematography; Andu Radu – Editing
Leah Chen Baker; Maiden Voyage; Spark Features
Hasan Hadi