Documentary Explores the Disappearance of Libyan Diplomat Mansur Kikhia and Its Impact

The documentary film ‘My Father and Qaddafi,’ directed by Jihan K, investigates the mysterious disappearance in 1993 of her father, Mansur Rashid Kikhia, a former Libyan diplomat and peaceful opponent of Muammar Qaddafi’s regime. Mansur, who had served as Libya’s foreign minister and ambassador to the United States, vanished in Cairo under circumstances linked to Qaddafi’s government. The film chronicles Jihan’s personal and emotional journey piecing together memories, family testimonies, and historical archives with the work of her mother, who devoted 19 years to searching for the truth behind his disappearance. The story highlights the political repression in Libya during Qaddafi’s dictatorship and brings a human lens to the consequences of authoritarian control on families and individuals. It also reflects on themes of identity and justice while portraying the broader sociopolitical context of Libya’s troubled history. This documentary had its world premiere out of competition at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival and is notable as the first Libyan film featured there in over a decade. It is a joint US-Libyan production with international support from film institutions and aims to blend personal narrative with political history.