Without a red carpet, a Palme d’Or ceremony, or luxurious yacht parties on the French Riviera, the Cannes Film Festival is an unprecedented affair. Though the physical event is cancelled, the festival has announced its official selection nonetheless. Even without the world’s most high profile film festival, the films - including four films from the Arab world - will now feature the iconic Cannes laurel when they show in film festivals and cinemas.

1. ADN | Maïwenn (Algeria + France)

In ‘The Faithful’ category, which features directors whose films have screened in Official Selection at least once before, Algerian-French film ADN by director Maïwenn explores the director’s own complex family roots.

2. Passion Simple | Danielle Arbid (Lebanon)

Honoured in ‘The Newcomers’ category, which features experienced directors in Official Selection for the first time, Lebanese director Danielle Arbid’s French-language Passion Simple is an intimate portrayal of forbidden love.

3. Souad | Ayten Amin (Egypt)

Also in ‘The Newcomers’ category, Egyptian filmmaker Ayten Amin’s Souad is a hyperrealistic portrayal of a young girl embarks on a journey after her sister commits suicide.

4. Broken Keys | Jimmy Keyrouz (Lebanon) 

Lebanese director Jimmy Keyrouz’s first Cannes-selected feature Broken Keys tells the story of a pianist who leaves his wartorn Lebanese village after it’s overtaken by extremists. 

You can check out the full selection here.

Main image from Broken Keys.