The Little Sister

This year’s (2025) Cannes Queer Palm and Best Actress winning film showcases a remarkable breakout performance in this deeply moving portrait of a French-Algerian woman attempting to reconcile her sexuality with her cultural identity.

Fatima, 17, the youngest of three daughters, treads carefully as she searches for her own path, grappling with emerging desires, her attraction to women, and her loyalty to her caring French-Algerian family. Starting university in Paris, she dates, makes friends, and explores a whole new world, all while confronting a timeless and heartrending dilemma: How can one stay true to oneself when reconciling different parts of one’s identity feels impossible? Love, faith and desire collide in Fatima Daas’ acclaimed autobiographical novel adapted by Hafsia Herzi, director of Good Mother (Cannes Un Certain Regard – Ensemble Prize) and You Deserve a Love (Cannes Critics’ Week). Grounded by astounding lead performances, Hafsia Herzi’s film gently navigates the internal conflict between sexuality and religion.