The President's Cake

Set in 1990s Iraq, this drama follows nine-year-old Lamia, who is chosen by her school to bake a cake for the president's birthday. In a country facing severe food shortages and fear, obtaining the necessary ingredients is an overwhelming challenge. To avoid severe punishment, Lamia travels through the city alongside her friend Saeed, her grandmother, and her pet rooster, navigating a landscape of scarcity and danger to find flour, sugar, and eggs.

The film was written and directed by Hasan Hadi. The cast is led by Baneen Ahmed Nayyef as Lamia, with Sajad Mohamad Qasem playing Saeed and Waheed Thabet Khreibat appearing as Bibi. Other credited roles include Rahim AlHaj, Muthanna Malaghi, and Ahmad Qasem Saywan. The production involved 62 crew members and 27 credited cast members, with Leah Chen Baker serving as producer.

Released on January 22, 2026, the movie has a runtime of 106 minutes. It was produced in the United States by several companies, including Maiden Voyage Pictures, Spark Features, Missing Piece Films, and Working Barn Productions. Audience reception has been generally positive, with the film holding a rating of 7.4/10 on TMDB based on 113 votes.