Baghdad Messi
Baghdad Messi (Arabic: ميسي بغداد) is a 2023 drama film directed by Sahim Omar Kalifa and written by Kobe Van Steenberghe. It is about an Iraqi boy who, after losing his leg in a terrorist attack, will fight to continue enjoying his passion: soccer. It is based on the 2012 short film of the same name by the same director. It is a co-production between Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Iraq.

It was selected as the Iraqi entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.

 Synopsis 
Hamoudi is a little boy of 11 who loves soccer and dreams of reaching the level of his idol Lionel Messi. One day he is the victim of an attempted suicide attack in Iraq, causing him to lose a leg. While his parents strive at all costs to protect the family, Hamoudi is determined to fight to make his shattered dream come true.

 Cast 

 Ahmed Mohammed Abdullah as Hamoudi
 Christian Renson as John
 Zahraa Ghandour as Salwa
 Atheer Adel
 Errol Trotman-Harewood as Duncan
 Atheer Adel
 Safa Najem
 Adil Abdulrahman
 Hussein Hassan as Bahoz
 Ravand Zaid as Soldier 1
 Saman Mustefa as Soldier 2
 Bangen Ali as Check Point Soldier

 Production 
Principal photography took place in 2021 within the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, the same place where the short film was recorded.

 Release 

 Festivals 
It had its world premiere on January 28, 2023, at the Ostend Film Festival, then screened on March 5, 2023, at the Luxembourg City Film Festival, on June 10, 2023, at the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival, and on April 25, 2024, at the Malmo Arab Film Festival.

 Theatrical 
It was commercially released on April 12, 2023, in Belgian theaters, and on August 3, 2023, in Dutch theaters.

 Accolades 
YearAward / FestivalCategoryRecipientResultRef.2023Ostend Film FestivalLook Prize for Best FilmBaghdad MessiEnsor - Best DirectorSahim Omar KalifaEnsor - Best CinematographyAnton Mertens25th Shanghai International Film FestivalAudience Choice Award for FilmBaghdad MessiMedia Choice Award for FilmSCHLiNGEL - International Film Festival for Children and Young AudienceAward of the Junior Jury26th Arpa International Film FestivalBest Feature Narrative FilmBest DirectorSahim Omar KalifaBest ScreenplayKobe Van Steenberghe

See also
 List of submissions to the 97th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film
 List of Iraqi submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film

 References 

 External links 
 
 Official Page

Category:2023 films
Category:2023 drama films
Category:Belgian drama films
Category:Dutch drama films
Category:German drama films
Category:Iraqi drama films
Category:2020s Arabic-language films
Category:Kurdish-language films
Category:Films set in Iraq
Category:Films shot in Iraq
Category:Films set in 2009
Category:Films based on short fiction
Category:Films about children
Category:Films about amputees
Category:2020s Belgian films
Category:2020s German films