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COTTON QUEEN to screen commercially across Cairo, Alexandria starting May 6th as part of CineMAD
05 May 2026
Following a successful festival run, Suzannah Mirghani’s award-winning feature COTTON QUEEN will be released across cinemas in Cairo and Alexandria starting Wednesday, May 6, as part of CineMAD — the pan-Arab film initiative by MAD Solutions bringing acclaimed festival films to wider audiences.
Where to watch in Egypt:
Cairo:
● Zawya Cinema
● Zamalek Cinema
● Metro Cinema (Downtown)
● VOX Almaza
● VOX Mall of Egypt
● Cairo Festival City
● City Stars Cinema
● Renaissance Madinaty
● Renaissance Rehab
● Americana Plaza
● Galaxy El Manial
● Galaxy Cineplex Maadi
● Cairo Mall
Alexandria:
● San Stefano Cinema
Set in a rural cotton-farming village in Sudan, COTTON QUEEN is a visually lush coming-of-age story that balances sharp wit with psychological depth. We follow teenage Nafisa, a girl caught between the formidable legends of her grandmother, the village matriarch Al-Sit, and the arrival of a slick businessman promising a modern future and bags of genetically engineered cotton seeds. As a power struggle erupts over the community’s land and Nafisa’s own autonomy, she must find her own voice amidst the rustling cotton fields.
The film manages a rare feat: It is a serious, nuanced exploration of identity and heritage, yet it remains refreshingly light, engaging, and often humorous. It is a story where the texture of the cotton and the weight of tradition are palpable in every frame.
COTTON QUEEN does not travel light; it arrives in Egyptian theaters with a suitcase full of international trophies. Kicking off its journey with a world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, the film quickly became a juggernaut on the circuit. Its impressive list of accolades includes the Jury Prize for Best Film at the Luxor African Film Festival, Golden Alexander at Thessaloniki, and Audience Award at the Doha Film Festival.
The film's stunning aesthetic is crafted by an international dream team that includes DOP Frida Marzouk (PROMISED SKY, JOHN WICK) and composer Amine Bouhafa (AISHA CAN’T FLY AWAY) & (ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA).
This international co-production — spanning Sudan, Egypt, France, Germany, Palestine, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia — features an ensemble cast that includes Mihad Murtada, Rabha Mohamed Mahmoud, Talaat Fareed, and Haram Bisheer. It is definitive proof that authentic regional stories are the real blockbusters of 2026.
Capturing a version of Sudan that is rarely seen — bold, stylish, and fiercely human. Cotton Queen is a must-watch. It is intellectual enough to spark a two-hour café debate about the politics of progress, yet visually dazzling and charming enough to be the perfect night out with friends.
Where to watch in Egypt:
Cairo:
● Zawya Cinema
● Zamalek Cinema
● Metro Cinema (Downtown)
● VOX Almaza
● VOX Mall of Egypt
● Cairo Festival City
● City Stars Cinema
● Renaissance Madinaty
● Renaissance Rehab
● Americana Plaza
● Galaxy El Manial
● Galaxy Cineplex Maadi
● Cairo Mall
Alexandria:
● San Stefano Cinema
Set in a rural cotton-farming village in Sudan, COTTON QUEEN is a visually lush coming-of-age story that balances sharp wit with psychological depth. We follow teenage Nafisa, a girl caught between the formidable legends of her grandmother, the village matriarch Al-Sit, and the arrival of a slick businessman promising a modern future and bags of genetically engineered cotton seeds. As a power struggle erupts over the community’s land and Nafisa’s own autonomy, she must find her own voice amidst the rustling cotton fields.
The film manages a rare feat: It is a serious, nuanced exploration of identity and heritage, yet it remains refreshingly light, engaging, and often humorous. It is a story where the texture of the cotton and the weight of tradition are palpable in every frame.
COTTON QUEEN does not travel light; it arrives in Egyptian theaters with a suitcase full of international trophies. Kicking off its journey with a world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, the film quickly became a juggernaut on the circuit. Its impressive list of accolades includes the Jury Prize for Best Film at the Luxor African Film Festival, Golden Alexander at Thessaloniki, and Audience Award at the Doha Film Festival.
The film's stunning aesthetic is crafted by an international dream team that includes DOP Frida Marzouk (PROMISED SKY, JOHN WICK) and composer Amine Bouhafa (AISHA CAN’T FLY AWAY) & (ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA).
This international co-production — spanning Sudan, Egypt, France, Germany, Palestine, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia — features an ensemble cast that includes Mihad Murtada, Rabha Mohamed Mahmoud, Talaat Fareed, and Haram Bisheer. It is definitive proof that authentic regional stories are the real blockbusters of 2026.
Capturing a version of Sudan that is rarely seen — bold, stylish, and fiercely human. Cotton Queen is a must-watch. It is intellectual enough to spark a two-hour café debate about the politics of progress, yet visually dazzling and charming enough to be the perfect night out with friends.
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