The President’s Cake

Mamlaket al-qasab

In Hasan Hadi’s engrossing debut, a young girl is faced with the challenge of baking a cake for her school’s celebration of Saddam Hussein’s birthday.

Screening dates and booking

Check which tickets are still available across the festival – and find out about extra ticket releases and standby queues.

Credits

  • Director-screenwriter

    Hasan Hadi

  • With

    Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Sajad Mohamad Qasem, Waheed Thabet Khreibat

  • Iraq-USA-Qatar 2025. 105min

  • Courtesy of

    Curzon Film

  • Language

    Arabic

    With English subtitles

Introduction

Though considered a great honour, nine-year-old Lamia’s task feels impossible, as she and her grandmother Bibi already struggle to get by. But armed with a shopping list and her pet rooster, Lamia remains determined as she sets off to find ingredients. A child’s eye view of a dictatorship, The President’s Cake skilfully navigates between the comic and the tragic.

Grace Barber-Plentie

Content warning

Contains scenes of graphic violence or injury and harm towards children.

How to book

Tickets start from £10 for all screenings and events in London, with concessions available for many screenings. Booking information and ticket prices.

If you’re aged 16 to 25, sign up for free to BFI 25 and Under for a chance to get £6 tickets to all screenings and events (subject to availability).

Missed out?

More tickets may become available for these screenings before and during the festival. Find out about extra ticket releases and standby queues.

Our programmers recommend...

Sink

Award-winning shorts filmmaker Zain Duraie’s taut domestic thriller explores the effects of mental illness on individuals and family.

Read more about Sink

Blue Heron

In Sophy Romvari’s lyrical debut, a Hungarian-Canadian family’s lives are rocked when their move to a seemingly idyllic new house sees their eldest child displaying erratic behaviour.

Read more about Blue Heron

A Sad and Beautiful World

This achingly romantic and emotionally resonant drama from celebrated filmmaker Cyril Aris flourishes with charm and humour, underpinned by moments of melancholy.

Read more about A Sad and Beautiful World