Erige Sehiri’s PROMISED SKY: A Cinematic Symphony by Women, for Women, About Women

PROMISED SKY is not just a film; it’s a whole vibe. Opening the 78th Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard, this film is a celebration of female strength, creativity, and power, both behind and in front of the camera.

PROMISED SKY is a film that truly feels like it was made by women and for women. From the very beginning, it’s clear that women are at the heart of every part of this film. Directed, co-written, and co-produced by Erige Sehiri, the film shows how powerful women can be when they take the lead. What makes this film so profoundly special is that its heart beats with the rhythm of women; from the visionary direction to the writers, producers, cinematographer, editor, and the cast. It is a collective of feminine voices, each contributing to the subtle power and nuance that fills PROMISED SKY.

The film follows Marie, an Ivorian pastor and former journalist who lives in Tunis. Her home becomes a refuge for Naney, a young mother seeking a better future, and Jolie, a strong-willed student carrying her family’s hopes. The arrival of a little orphan girl challenges their sense of solidarity in a tense social climate, revealing both their fragility and strength.

In a world where women’s stories too often get sidelined, PROMISED SKY flips the script. Speaking to the power and struggles that come from being a woman, the film features raw, intimate performances and a quiet strength woven into every frame; it’s a love letter to femininity in all its forms. It's tender, it's fierce, and it hits deep.

There’s a kind of magic in how PROMISED SKY moves: Slowly, with emotion, and full of soul. You feel the weight of the world these women carry, and the quiet power in how they carry each other. It’s not about grand gestures; it’s about the small, sacred ways women build homes within each other.

Reflecting on the inspiration behind the film, director Erige Sehiri shares: “I was drawn to female characters because of the powerful women I’ve encountered in real life. It’s rare to see a female pastor or a church community made up mostly of women, and these underrepresented realities really struck me. Like in my previous film, I’m moved by how women find ways to create spaces of freedom, even under difficult circumstances—always building connections, always holding communities together.”

If PROMISED SKY proves anything, it’s this: When women lead the story on screen and behind it, something shifts. It becomes more than just representation; it evolves into truth.