the 16th Malmö Arab Film Festival

Successful Opening of the 16th Malmö Arab Film Festival
with the Iraqi Film “The President’s Cake”

The 16th edition of the Malmö Arab Film Festival officially opened on Friday, 10 April, in a vibrant celebratory atmosphere marked by strong public and official attendance, reaffirming the festival’s position as the leading platform for Arab cinema outside Arab region.
The opening evening began with the red carpet at the Royal Cinema, welcoming filmmakers, artists, and media representatives, with notable engagement from the audience. The official ceremony followed, opening with a welcome speech by the Mayor of Malmö, Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, who emphasized the festival’s important role in promoting cultural dialogue and artistic diversity in the city.
The Founder – Executive Chairman, Mouhamad Keblawi, then officially declared the 16th edition open, highlighting the festival’s ongoing commitment to supporting Arab cinema and fostering collaboration with European filmmakers.
During the ceremony, Saudi filmmaker Abdullah Al-Muheisen was honored in recognition of his pioneering career and his significant contributions to the foundation of Saudi and Gulf cinema, receiving warm appreciation from the audience.

 The evening culminated with the screening of the opening film “The President’s Cake” by Iraqi director Hasan Hadi, a co-production between Iraq, the United States, and Qatar. The film was warmly received by the audience for its compelling human story and distinctive visual approach.
The first day concluded with an official reception at Malmö City Hall, hosted by Carina Nilsson, Chair of the Malmö City Council, attended by festival guests, filmmakers, and representatives from cultural and media sectors, in an atmosphere reflecting collaboration and cultural exchange.
The festival continues until 16 April with a rich program featuring 39 films from across the Arab world, alongside the Malmö Industry Days, which serve as an important platform for supporting new projects and strengthening international partnerships.
Through this successful opening, the Malmö Arab Film Festival reaffirms its role as a cultural bridge between the Arab world and north Europe, and as a key platform for showcasing contemporary Arab cinema.