DUBAI: Iraqi director Hasan Hadi this week received a Directors Guild of America Awards nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film for his debut, “The President’s Cake.”

Set in 1990s Iraq, the film follows Lamia, a young girl tasked with preparing a birthday cake for the country’s leader — a mandatory assignment that places her under intense pressure. As she races to gather the ingredients, the stakes grow higher, with the threat of serious consequences if she fails.

Hadi’s film is shortlisted in the category alongside Eva Victor for “Sorry, Baby,” Alex Russell for “Lurker,” Charlie Polinger for “The Plague,” and Harry Lighton for “Pillion.”

Also in the running for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Theatrical Feature Film are Guillermo del Toro for “Frankenstein,” Chloe Zhao for “Hamnet,” Ryan Coogler for “Sinners,”Josh Safdie for “Marty Supreme,” and Paul Thomas Anderson for “One Battle After Another.”

“The President’s Cake” has also been shortlisted for the Academy Award for International Feature Film.