Tunisian Filmmaker Erige Sehiri’s Latest Feature

Erige Sehiri’s new film, Promised Sky, has been chosen to kick off this year’s Un Certain Regard section at the prestigious 78th Festival de Cannes. The screening is set for Wednesday, May 14, right after the official opening ceremony at 7 PM. Running from May 13 to 24, 2025, the festival will showcase Promised Sky as a highlight of one of Cannes’ most globally engaged film sections.

A Return to Cannes

This marks Sehiri’s return to Cannes following her acclaimed debut, Under the Fig Trees, which premiered in the Directors’ Fortnight in 2022 and became Tunisia’s official submission for the 95th Academy Awards. With a strong background in journalism and documentary filmmaking, Sehiri has crafted a unique style that blends realism with emotionally impactful storytelling.

A Story of Resilience and Vulnerability

Set against the backdrop of Tunisia and inspired by true events, Promised Sky explores the intertwined lives of women facing both personal and political challenges. The narrative centers on Marie, an Ivorian pastor and former journalist in Tunis, who provides refuge to two women—Naney, a hopeful young mother, and Jolie, a driven student grappling with family pressures. Their fragile unity is put to the test when an orphaned girl enters their lives, revealing both their vulnerabilities and strengths in a tense social environment.

Star-Studded Cast and Collaborative Efforts

The film features a talented cast, including renowned actor Aïssa Maïga, Laetitia Ky, Deborah Naney, and Tunisian actor Mohamed Grayaa. Sehiri not only directed and co-produced the film but also reunited with cinematographer Frida Marzouk, who previously collaborated with her on Under the Fig Trees and contributed to the John Wick franchise. The film is produced by Didar Domehri and will be distributed in the Arab world by MAD Distribution.

A Voice for Change

Beyond her cinematic endeavors, Sehiri is a prominent advocate in journalism and civil society. She co-founded INKYFADA, a platform dedicated to investigative journalism, and Al Khatt, a Tunisian NGO promoting media literacy and press freedom. Additionally, she is a founding member of Rawiyat – Sisters in Film, a collective that empowers women filmmakers from the Arab world and its diaspora.