GSC International Screens proudly presents an Award Showcase celebrating an extraordinary repertoire of globally acclaimed films set to define the upcoming 98th Academy Awards season. This curated slate highlights bold storytelling, visionary filmmaking, and powerful performances with The President’s Cake (released on 5th March), Hamnet (released on 5th March) and Bugonia (releasing 12th March) on the big screens at GSC.
1. The President’s Cake (Hasan Hadi)
The President’s Cake, written and directed by Hasan Hadi. Marking an astonishing feature debut, the heartfelt Iraqi drama earned the prestigious Caméra d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival (Directors’ Fortnight), in addition to the Audience Award. The film also makes history as Iraq’s first-ever submission for Best International Feature at the Academy Awards. A deeply moving story grounded in emotional authenticity, The President’s Cake features breakout young talent Baneen Ahmad Nayyef alongside Sajad Mohamad Qasem, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, and Rahim AlHaj. With its confident storytelling and powerful performances, the film signals an exciting new voice in world cinema.
2. Hamnet (Chloe Zhao)
The showcase also features Hamnet, from Academy Award®-winning writer and director Chloé Zhao. This profoundly moving exploration of love, loss, and artistic inspiration revisits 16th-century England, tracing the deep bond between William Shakespeare and his son, Hamnet. Poetic and visually stunning, Hamnet examines the grief that would shape one of literature’s most enduring tragedies. With Zhao’s signature lyrical direction, the film stands as a major contender this awards season and a powerful meditation on memory and creation.
3. Bugonia (Will Tracy)
Completing the line-up is Bugonia, written by Oscar nominee Will Tracy and directed by visionary filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos. A bold literary adaptation and nominee for Writing (Adapted Screenplay) at the Academy Awards, Bugonia has been praised for its sharp contemporary voice and emotional resonance. Lanthimos, celebrated for award-winning works such as Dogtooth, The Lobster, and The Favourite, brings his signature bold and provocative vision to this compelling adaptation. His distinguished career includes multiple Academy Award nominations, a BAFTA Award, and the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
Together, these three extraordinary films reflect GSC International Screens’ commitment to championing cinematic artistry and bringing award-calibre storytelling to Malaysian audiences. GSC International Screens Awards Showcase will be screening from 5th March onwards at selected locations. For more information, visit GSC’s official social media pages or the GSC International Screen website.
