Iraqi director Hasan Hadi wins top Cannes debut prize for childhood tale set under Saddam’s rule

AI Summary

Iraqi filmmaker Hasan Hadi won the prestigious Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for his debut feature, "The President's Cake." The film follows a young girl in 1990s Iraq struggling to bake a cake for Saddam Hussein's birthday amidst UN sanctions. Hadi dedicated the award to children enduring hardship. Palestinian director Tawfeek Barhom also won for his short film, using the platform to comment on the Gaza conflict.