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Feature Length Documentary, 88 Min

my father and qaddafi

A film by jihan

2025
USA, Libya

Synopsis

Jihan takes us on a raw and reflective journey as she pieces together the memory of a father she barely remembers—Mansur Rashid Kikhia, who served as Libya's foreign minister, ambassador to the United Nations, and a human rights lawyer.

After serving under Qaddafi, he defected from the government and became an opposition leader. For many, Kikhia was considered a rising star as the next leader of Libya; however, in 1993, he disappeared from his hotel in Egypt.

Jihan’s mother, Baha Al Omary, a strong-willed Syrian-American artist, began searching for him, launching the family into an international political maze. Kikhia’s body was found 19 years later in a freezer near Qaddafi’s palace.

Through encounters with family, her father’s colleagues, and historical archives, Jihan’s search for truth evolves into a deeper curiosity, drawing her closer to both her father and her Libyan identity.

Venice International Film Festival, Italy (World Premiere)
Middle East Now, Italy
Fondazione Prada, Italy
Chicago International Film Festival, US
Arab Film Festival, US
MedFilm Festival, Italy (Valentina Pedicini Award)
Festival Dei Popoli, Italy
Doha Film Festival, Qatar
CinemaMED Festival, Belgium
Marrakech International Film Festival, Morocco
Best Documentary at the Doha International Film Festival
Jury Prize at the Marrakech Interntional Film Festival
Valentina Pedicini Award at the MedFilm Festival
Production Company(ies):
Desert Power
Fund(ers):
Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) – Development & Production

Doha Film Institute – Production

International Documentary Association (IDA) Enterprise Fund – Development

CineGouna Platform – Post-Production

International Media Support (IMS) – Post-Production

Hot Docs–Blue Ice Group Documentary Fund – Development

Swedish Film Institute – Production

Malmö Arab Film Festival (MAFF) Market Forum – Production

Quiet – Production