Hasan Hadi

Hasan Hadi is an Iraqi film director and screenwriter. His debut feature film, The President's Cake, won the Caméra d'Or for best first feature film at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The film was selected for the Directors' Fortnight (Quinzaine des Cinéastes) and won the section's People's Choice award.

Early life and education Hadi grew up in southern Iraq during wartime. He has worked in journalism and film production.

Career Short films and fellowships Hadi directed the short film Swimsuit, which won Best Narrative Short at the 2021 Urbanworld Film Festival.

In 2022, Hadi was among the fellows of the Sundance Institute for its January Screenwriters Lab.

The President's Cake Hadi wrote and directed The President's Cake, a feature film set in 1990s Iraq under Saddam Hussein.

Filmography Swimsuit (short film) The President's Cake (feature film; 2025)

Awards and honours 2025 – Caméra d'Or (The President's Cake). 2025 – Directors' Fortnight (Quinzaine des Cinéastes) People's Choice (The President's Cake). 2021 – Urbanworld Film Festival, Best Narrative Short (Swimsuit).