Held on the sidelines of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, the eighth Critics Awards for Arab Films recognized notable achievements in Arab cinema, with Goodbye Julia, Four Daughters, and Inshallah a Boy emerging as the major winners. Set against the mesmerizing backdrop of Cannes’ sun-drenched beaches, the event— masterfully organized by the Arab Cinema Centre (ACC) in tandem with MAD Solutions, the International Emerging Film Talent Association, and the NEFT Emerging Film Talent International Competition— highlighted outstanding achievements in Arab cinema for 2023.
The annual award ceremony is overseen by the Arab Cinema Centre in Cairo and adjudicated by an impressive panel of 225 global film critics, who meticulously reviewed entries via Festival Scope, a partner platform of ACC. Among the glittering array of winners, three films stood out.
They are, Sudanese filmmaker Mohamed Kordofani’s Goodbye Julia, which clinched both the Best Feature Film and Best Screenplay awards. The film, which poignantly explores the intricate relationship between two women in the tense days leading up to South Sudan’s 2011 secession, captivated critics with its deep moral questions and calls for reconciliation. Significantly, Goodbye Julia also holds the distinction of being the first Sudanese film to ever make it into Cannes’ official selection—a historic achievement in its own right.
Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania also saw her film Four Daughters sweep up awards for Best Director, Best Documentary, and Best Editing. An Oscar contender, this gripping documentary delves into the tumultuous life of Olfa Hamrouni, whose world was upended when her two eldest daughters joined ISIS in Libya in 2016. Ben Hania’s direction skillfully balances sensitivity and unflinching realism, making Four Daughters a standout.
In a stirring performance that captured the hearts of audiences and critics alike, Palestinian actress Mouna Hawa was awarded Best Actress for her role in Inshallah a Boy. Directed by Jordanian filmmaker Amjad Al Rasheed, the film also garnered the Best Cinematography award, further solidifying its status as a critical darling.
The Best Actor honor went to Palestinian talent Saleh Bakri for his compelling role in Farah Nabulsi’s The Teacher, while the Best Short Film category, introduced this year, was won by Egyptian director Morad Mostafa for I Promise You Paradise. French-Tunisian composer Amin Bouhafa was recognized with the Best Music award for his work on Hajjan.
In a heartfelt nod to the stalwarts of film criticism, the ACC Achievement Award for Film Critics celebrated the contributions of British critic Peter Bradshaw and Lebanese critic Nadim Jarjoura, acknowledging their profound impact on the world of cinema.
