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With 2025 just around the corner, a collection of new films from the Middle East, North Africa and the diaspora are heading into cinemas.ÌýÌý

While we are still awaiting release day announcements for excellent films like Laila Abass's Thank You For Banking With Us and Mehdi Barsaoui's ´¡Ã¯³¦³ó²¹, here are seven titles we cannot wait to see.Ìý

The Seed Of The Sacred FigÌý

Exiled Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof follows up the Berlinale, Gold Bear-winning with another tense political thriller. During a time of civil unrest in Tehran, Iman, () an investigating judge in the Revolutionary Court, discovers his gun has gone missing in the family home. Descending into paranoia, he and his devoted wife Najmeh suspect their progressive daughters Rezvan and Sana, are behind the theft. Thus begins authoritarian practices in their domestic space, somewhat mirroring the drastic rules and regulations implemented by Iran's oppressive regime.Ìý

Release date: 7 February 2025Ìý

To A Land UnknownÌý

After years in the documentary space, Mahdi Fleifel turns to narrative fiction with To A Land Unknown The grounded drama follows Palestinian cousins – the stoic Chantila and vulnerable Reda (Mahmood Bakri and Aram Sabbah, respectively – living on the fringes of Greek society as they attempt to steal, scam and cheat their way to a better life in Germany. They are stuck in limbo between the refugee camp they left in Lebanon and a mostly male refugee community in Athens. It's a gritty, complex but utterly humane portrait of displaced Palestinian men and the dire straits they can't seem to escape.ÌýÌý

Release date: 14 February 2025Ìý

Last SwimÌý

British-Iranian-Indian filmmaker makes his feature film debut with Last Swim. Co-written with producer Helen Simmons, the coming-of-age tale follows Ziba () a British-Iranian teen on A Level results. She passes with flying colours and secures her place at University College London to read astrophysics so has meticulous plans to celebrate with her friends. An uninvited guest complicates things, as familial rifts, mental health issues and a shocking event threaten Ziba's day of revelry. Critics have called the film sweet and delicate with lots of praise for Hekmat who takes the lead after dazzling in her supporting role in Luna Carmoon's Hoard.ÌýÌý

Release date: April 2025 (TBC)Ìý

In Broad DaylightÌý

shot to stardom as the eponymous lead in Disney's live-action Aladdin and now he's making his Egyptian cinema debut in crime thriller In Broad Daylight. Written by , directed by , and co-produced by Massoud's Press Play production company, the film is said to follow the exploits of international con artist Hazim as he navigates the criminal underworld and fraud operations. Co-starring Eman el-Assi, Mahmoud Hegazy and Ehab Fahmy, it marks Massoud's first major lead role since appearing in a few rom-coms on Freevee and Netflix. The Egyptian-Canadian actor spoke of the difficulty in securing work after leading Disney's box office-busting remake so it will be good to see him flex his muscles in this gritty Arabic-language piece.Ìý

Release date: 2025Ìý

Where the Wind Comes FromÌý

Tunisian filmmaker Amel Guellaty's debut feature follows two best friends, Alyssa and Mehdi, (played by and , respectfully). Feeling inhibited by their lives on the fringes of Tunis, the childhood pals are seeking a way out. When Alyssa discovers an artist contest in Djerba for Mehdi to enter, the pair head on an exciting journey across Tunisia and face up to various obstacles on the way that put their friendship to the test.Ìý

Release date: January 26 2025 (Sundance) February 2025 (Rotterdam Film Festival)Ìý

All That’s Left of YouÌý

Cherien Dabis' long-awaited Nakba film will be premiering at the this January. The American filmmaker of Palestinian-Jordanian descent has looked to Palestine's Bakri acting dynasty to fill out the roles in this historical drama, including brothers Saleh Bakri and Adam Bakri and their director father Mohammad Bakri. Dabis is set to star too and according to the synopsis, the film will follow a Palestinian teen whose mother – after he confronts Israeli soldiers at a West Bank protest – recounts the series of events that led him to that fateful moment, beginning with his grandfather’s forced displacement.Ìý

Release date: January 25, 2025 (Sundance)Ìý

´¡±ô±è³ó²¹Ìý

Throwing Julia Ducournau's third feature into the mix because while she might not be MENA, her lead actors certainly are. French-Algerian actor and Persian actress are said to be playing the parents of the titular character. According to a , the film is set in France, during the 1980s, where teenager Alpha, is being shunned by her classmates because of a rumour spread around school that she has been infected with a new disease. Ducournau is believed to have been inspired to write the film, said to be her most personal yet, after meeting one of the founding members of the Aids activism group .Ìý

Release date: 2025Ìý

Hanna Flint is a British-Tunisian critic, broadcaster and author of Strong Female Character: What Movies Teach Us. Her reviews, interviews and features have appeared in GQ, the Guardian, Elle, Town & Country, Mashable, Radio Times, MTV, Time Out, °®Âþµº, Empire, BBC Culture and elsewhere

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