Nafisa is a young woman who lives in a Sudanese village, picking cotton and dreaming of the world beyond her village. The cotton is world renowned for its purity, but the arrival of a young man, who brings with him genetically modified cotton seed, could alter production forever. But Nafisa isn’t just a teenager hoping for better times—she is a grounded young woman who senses trouble when she sees it. Suzannah Mirghani’s debut feature explores local folklore, magical realism, and searing political critiques.

Curated & presented in partnership with Mizna, SWANA Stories at MSPIFF presents bold and striking new films from North Africa, Southwest Asia, and the diaspora.