Sudanese filmmaker Suzannah Mirghani's Cotton Queen has claimed the Best Feature Film Award at the 2025 Thessaloniki Film Festival. The win highlights themes of family and community amid global conflicts, as praised by jury president Elegance Bratton. The festival announced its full list of winners across multiple sections this afternoon.
The 2025 Thessaloniki Film Festival wrapped up its international competition with the announcement of awards on November 9. Led by filmmaker Elegance Bratton, alongside Thania Dimitrakopoulou and Frederick Elmes, the jury awarded the Golden Alexander – Theo Angelopoulos prize, including a 10,000-euro cash award, to Cotton Queen. Set in a Sudanese cotton-farming village, the film follows Nafisa's simple life with her grandmother, disrupted by a young businessman's arrival.
Bratton presented the award, stating, “From the very first moment we watched it, this film found a place in our hearts. In a world plagued by genocide and war, this film reminded us of what is truly important and what we are fighting for: our families and communities.”
Mirghani, in her acceptance speech, emphasized the film's significance: “I’d like to thank the Festival and the jury. This award means much more than you think, especially in these troubled times of war and genocide, for a film featuring actors displaced from their homes in Egypt, and seeking refuge. It is encouraging that you can still make art in such dark times and receive recognition. I’d like to thank the film’s co-producer and my mentor, Annemarie Jacir, who knows the significance and the importance of this film better than anyone. I’d also like to thank the cast and crew of Sudanese origin, who are in a state of war and seeking a way out.”
Other International Competition Winners
The Silver Alexander, supported by COSMOTE TELEKOM with 5,000 euros, went to Beachcomber by Aristotelis Maragkos. Harry Melling earned Best Actor for Pillion by Harry Lighton, while Sabrina Amali won Best Actress for Maysoon by Nancy Biniadaki. Additional honors included Best Artistic Achievement-Direction of Photography to Giorgos Karvelas for Beachcomber and Best Screenplay to Yvonne Görlach for Karla by Christina Tournatzès.
Meet the Neighbors+ Awards
This section for debut or sophomore films from Southeastern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East awarded the Golden Alexander – Michel Demopoulos to The Last One for The Road by Francesco Sossai. Yanis Koussim received the Best Director Silver Alexander – City of Thessaloniki Award for Roqia, with acting prizes to Pierpaolo Capovilla and Sergio Romano for The Last One for The Road, and Manuela Martelli for God Will Not Help by Hana Jušić. Best Artistic Achievement went to God Will Not Help.
Film Forward Awards
Focusing on innovative storytelling, the Golden Alexander with 8,000 euros was given to 1001 Frames by Mehrnoush Alia. Manoël Dupont won Best Director Silver Alexander for Before / After, and Kristen Stewart's The Chronology of Water took Best Artistic Achievement. A special mention honored Jeremy Lamblot and Baptiste Leclère in Before / After.