First U.S. Trailer Released for ‘The President’s Cake’: Cannes Award Winner and Iraqi Oscar Contender
EXCLUSIVE: First Domestic Trailer Released for Cannes Caméra d’Or Winner The President’s Cake
Sony Pictures Classics has unveiled the first domestic trailer for The President’s Cake, a film directed by Iraqi filmmaker Hasan Hadi, which recently won the prestigious Caméra d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
The film is set to have a qualifying run starting December 12, 2025, followed by a limited theatrical release on February 6, 2026, and a nationwide premiere on February 27, 2026.
At the heart of this poignant drama is nine-year-old Lamia, who faces the daunting task of baking a birthday cake for her classmates to celebrate the president’s birthday. In a setting marked by shortages, gathering the necessary ingredients becomes a monumental challenge. Failure to deliver the cake could have dire consequences for her family, including imprisonment or worse.
Hadi draws from his own childhood experiences in southern Iraq during the 1990s, a time when the regime of President Saddam Hussein imposed international sanctions that deepened socio-economic struggles. The film, shot entirely in Iraq, features performances by local untrained actors, adding authenticity to the narrative.
Produced by Leah Chen Baker, The President’s Cake boasts an impressive lineup of executive producers, including Eric Roth (Forrest Gump), Marielle Heller (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood), and Chris Columbus (Home Alone).
International sales for the film are represented by Films Boutique, with support from notable organizations such as the Sundance Film Institute and the Doha Film Institute.
