Sudanese drama Cotton Queen, directed by Suzannah Mirghani, has won the Golden Alexander for Best Feature Film at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival. Mirghani’s arresting feature debut is celebrated as the first feature-length film directed by a Sudanese woman, and it impressed the festival jury with its intimate storytelling. The award highlights Cotton Queen’s compelling exploration of memory, migration, and family life in Sudan, delivering a powerful blend of realism and lyrical storytelling. The Golden Alexander prize underscores the rising profile of Sudanese cinema on the international stage and signals growing recognition for Mirghani’s work and the next generation of Sudanese filmmakers. The jury included industry figures such as Thania Dimitrakopoulou, head of sales at Match Factory, alongside U.S. cinematographer Frederick Elmes. The film’s Thessaloniki triumph is poised to attract broader attention, boost its festival run, and accelerate distribution opportunities for Cotton Queen and Sudanese cinema alike.