Sema
The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival witnessed a remarkable presence of filmmakers from around the globe. Among the prominent attendees was director Nozad Shekhani, who brought with him the project of his new feature film “Evelyn”, which portrays the struggle of a Ezidi girl as she breaks free from the shadows of slavery imposed by ISIS. The film delivers a cinematic narrative pulsing with human pain and visual beauty.
“Evelyn” is not merely a film about an individual tragedy, but a story of collective suffering—a woman’s fight to reclaim her dignity and voice in a world that too often turns a deaf ear to the marginalized. Through a cinematic language that blends deep human sensitivity with bold visual storytelling, the film seeks to convey a voice that has yet to be truly heard.
In an exclusive statement, Shekhani said:“My first official participation in Cannes was back in 2005 as part of a media delegation from Germany, when the Kurdish director Hiner Saleem’s film Kilometer Zero was screened in the official competition, although it didn’t win any awards. Today, I am pleased to return to Cannes for its 78th edition in 2025, which marks the first official presence of Iraqi cinema in the history of the festival—whether through a dedicated pavilion or participation in the official competitions.”
Speaking about his experience during the festival, Shekhani added:
“My presence at Cannes was the result of pre-arranged meetings with global production entities and film institutions that showed serious interest in the project. They saw something that goes beyond traditional cinematic storytelling—just as Ms. Rosa, the American producer and co-founder of Rebel Film, expressed when she said the film called out to her to be part of it.”
He continued: “I chose to be here, at the world’s most important film festival, to open a global path for Evelyn. This film deserves to be produced at a high level that matches its artistic and humanitarian value. I had an intense experience filled with meetings, screenings, and discussions. I moved between the pavilions of the film market, presenting the Evelyn project to producers and funding bodies from various countries—receiving positive interaction and great interest from those drawn to profound human content and cinema that addresses essential issues with a distinct artistic voice.”
Shekhani concluded:
“The journey continues, and the road ahead is long, but the faith in this project is strong. We are planning with our partners to produce the film at the highest possible standard. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who believed in Evelyn—a project to which we’ve given everything, in effort and resources. And thank you to all who see cinema as both a message and a cause.”