Award-Winning Film 'Amal' Expands U.S. Release Following Sedona Film Festival Recognition
The critically acclaimed Belgian-Moroccan film Amal continues its U.S. theatrical release after winning the Directors’ Choice Award for Best International Feature at the 2025 Sedona International Film Festival. Distributed by ArtMattan Films, the film recently played at select Laemmle Theatres and is now screening at the Lark Theatre, with additional nationwide bookings planned.
Directed by Jawad Rhalib, Amal stars Lubna Azabal in the title role, portraying a Brussels-based teacher whose commitment to freedom of expression leads to controversy. The film explores themes of critical thinking, identity, and societal pressures within the classroom setting.
Rhalib, known for his work in socially conscious cinema, has previously directed documentaries such as When Arabs Danced, which examines issues of cultural identity and artistic freedom. In interviews, he has described Amal as a film that seeks to provoke discussion about education, freedom of speech, and the challenges teachers face when navigating diverse perspectives in the classroom.
Critics have praised Azabal’s performance, highlighting her portrayal of a teacher caught between personal convictions and external pressures. Reviewers have noted the film’s engagement with themes of modern religious and cultural tensions, with D Movies describing Azabal’s role as "a heart-ripping performance" and E. Nina Roth stating that the film’s impact is amplified by "its powerful message of religious intolerance mixed with the freedom required for us to live in the modern world."
ArtMattan Films, which has a history of distributing films that focus on the experiences of people of color worldwide, has facilitated Amal's release as part of its mission to bring diverse perspectives to U.S. audiences. The company has previously released films such as Kirikou and the Sorceress, The Tracker, and A Son (Un Fils).