Hafsia Herzi's film, 'The Little Sister' (original title: 'La Petite Dernière'), premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2025. The film explores themes of identity, faith, and sexuality through the eyes of a young woman. It is an adaptation of Fatima Daas's autobiographical novel, 'The Last One'.
The film centers on Fatima, a 17-year-old French-Algerian woman who leaves her suburban family to study philosophy in Paris. As she embraces her new life, she grapples with her religious upbringing and her emerging desires, questioning how to reconcile her faith with her sexual orientation. Nadia Melliti makes her debut as Fatima, with Ji-Min Park playing a significant role.
'The Little Sister' is a co-production between France and Germany. It is directed by Hafsia Herzi, who also wrote the screenplay. The film is competing for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival 2025. The theatrical release in France is scheduled for October 1, 2025.