Cotton Queen is a 2025 internationally co-produced drama film written and directed by Suzanna mirghani
i in her feature directorial debut. It stars Mihad Murtada, Rabha Mohamed Mahmoud, Talaat Fareed, Haram Bisheer, Mohamed Musa and Hassan Kassala.
It had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival in the Critics Week section on 3 September 2025.
Contents
Premise
Nafisa lives in a cotton farming village in Sudan, where she is raised on tales from her grandmother of battling British colonizers. When a businessman arrives, with a new development plan and genetically engineered cotton, she becomes the center of a power play.
Cast
Mihad Murtada as Nafisa
Rabha Mohamed Mahmoud as Al-Sit
Talaat Fareed as Babiker
Haram Bisheer
Mohamed Musa as Bilal
Hassan Kassala as Nadir
Production
Production was set to take place in Sudan, however, due to the Sudanese civil war, it was relocated to Egypt. Production took place over the course of 25 days.
Release
It had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival in the Critics Week section on 3 September 2025. It also screened at the Chicago International Film Festival on 18 October 2025. and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival where it won the Golden Alexander for Best Feature Film. Mad Solutions will distribute the film in the Middle East.