Dubai-based sales outfit Mad World has acquired worldwide sales rights to Nadim Tabet’s upcoming ghost story In This Darkness I See You ahead of the Cannes market
The Lebanese thriller will join the inaugural slate of Mad World, a new sales and distribution company for Arab-language feature films that was launched yesterday by Mad Solutions.
The supernatural story follows strange events that occur at a construction site in a Lebanese village, where tensions between Syrian workers and local villagers come to a head after one labourer becomes convinced that the site is haunted. The screenplay was co-written by Tabet,...
The Lebanese thriller will join the inaugural slate of Mad World, a new sales and distribution company for Arab-language feature films that was launched yesterday by Mad Solutions.
The supernatural story follows strange events that occur at a construction site in a Lebanese village, where tensions between Syrian workers and local villagers come to a head after one labourer becomes convinced that the site is haunted. The screenplay was co-written by Tabet,...
- 5/10/2024
- ScreenDaily
Pan-Arab distributor Mad Solutions is expanding operations by setting up Mad World, a Dubai-based company dedicated to selling Arab movies internationally that will officially launch in Cannes.
Touted as Arab cinema’s first global sales outfit, Mad World segues from Mad Solution’s first foray in the international distribution arena last year with Sudanese director Mohamed Kordofani’s “Goodbye Julia” which they sold widely after it’s splashy launch from Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section.
In addition to acquiring global rights to an increasing number of international co-productions, the Cairo-based studio has been stepping up its involvement in packaging Arabic projects with global market potential.
Besides fresh product, Mad World will be handling sales on an extensive library of recent festival award-winners, including shorts, and a back-catalog of titles comprising regional theatrical and streaming titles, many of which have not reached audiences outside the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.
Touted as Arab cinema’s first global sales outfit, Mad World segues from Mad Solution’s first foray in the international distribution arena last year with Sudanese director Mohamed Kordofani’s “Goodbye Julia” which they sold widely after it’s splashy launch from Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section.
In addition to acquiring global rights to an increasing number of international co-productions, the Cairo-based studio has been stepping up its involvement in packaging Arabic projects with global market potential.
Besides fresh product, Mad World will be handling sales on an extensive library of recent festival award-winners, including shorts, and a back-catalog of titles comprising regional theatrical and streaming titles, many of which have not reached audiences outside the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.
- 5/9/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
New Arab Cinema Focused Int’l Sales Company Mad World Unveils Inaugural Slate Ahead Of Cannes Launch
Top Middle East and North African independent distributor and talent agency Mad Solutions is adding a new string to its bow with the launch of Arab cinema-focused international sales company Mad World.
The Dubai-based company will make its market debut in Cannes.
Titles on its packed inaugural slate include French-Egyptian-Palestinian director Rani Massalha’s The Return of the Prodigal Son and Palestinian filmmaker Laila Abbas’s Thank You For Banking With Us. (scroll down for full line-up).
Mad World will be spearheaded by Mad Solutions co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, as well as third Managing Partner, Colin Brown, who will all assume Co-President titles.
“Until now, Arab filmmakers have been at the mercy of an international sales ecosystem with preconceived notions about what Arab cinema should be in order to travel,” commented Brown.
“We intend to challenge those limitations, exploring all manner of distribution options around the world, even unconventional ones,...
The Dubai-based company will make its market debut in Cannes.
Titles on its packed inaugural slate include French-Egyptian-Palestinian director Rani Massalha’s The Return of the Prodigal Son and Palestinian filmmaker Laila Abbas’s Thank You For Banking With Us. (scroll down for full line-up).
Mad World will be spearheaded by Mad Solutions co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, as well as third Managing Partner, Colin Brown, who will all assume Co-President titles.
“Until now, Arab filmmakers have been at the mercy of an international sales ecosystem with preconceived notions about what Arab cinema should be in order to travel,” commented Brown.
“We intend to challenge those limitations, exploring all manner of distribution options around the world, even unconventional ones,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Pan-Arab outfit Mad Solutions has launched international sales company Mad World, which will introduce its first slate of titles and executive team at the Cannes market next week.
The Dubai-based firm will handle worldwide sales and international distribution of new Arab-language feature films, led by Mad Solutions’ co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab as well as the company’s managing partner Colin Brown. All three are co-presidents of Mad World, with Karkouti serving as CEO.
Also joining Mad World are European executives Edin De Liancourt as vice president of sales and acquisitions and Jeanne Deny as director of sales and acquisitions.
The Dubai-based firm will handle worldwide sales and international distribution of new Arab-language feature films, led by Mad Solutions’ co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab as well as the company’s managing partner Colin Brown. All three are co-presidents of Mad World, with Karkouti serving as CEO.
Also joining Mad World are European executives Edin De Liancourt as vice president of sales and acquisitions and Jeanne Deny as director of sales and acquisitions.
- 5/9/2024
- ScreenDaily
‘Four Daughters’ & ‘Goodbye Julia’ Lead Nominations For 8th Edition Of Critics Awards For Arab Films
Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s Oscar-nominated documentary Four Daughters and Sudanese director Mohamed Kordofani’s Lupita Nyong’o-EPed drama Goodbye Julia lead the nominations in the eighth edition of the Critics Awards for Arab Films.
Hybrid work Four Daughters, exploring the story of a real-life Tunisian mother who lost two of her daughters to Isis after they were radicalized by a local preacher, world premiered in Competition in Cannes last year.
The film won Cannes’ Golden Eye for Best Documentary and also went on to be nominated for Best Documentary at the 2024 Academy Awards.
Kordofani’s Khartoum-set drama Goodbye Julia was also at Cannes in 2023, making history as the first Sudanese film to play in the festival across its 76 editions, with a debut in Un Certain Regard. It represented Sudan at in the 2023-24 Oscar race but was not nominated.
Set against the backdrop of the 2011 South Sudan Independence referendum,...
Hybrid work Four Daughters, exploring the story of a real-life Tunisian mother who lost two of her daughters to Isis after they were radicalized by a local preacher, world premiered in Competition in Cannes last year.
The film won Cannes’ Golden Eye for Best Documentary and also went on to be nominated for Best Documentary at the 2024 Academy Awards.
Kordofani’s Khartoum-set drama Goodbye Julia was also at Cannes in 2023, making history as the first Sudanese film to play in the festival across its 76 editions, with a debut in Un Certain Regard. It represented Sudan at in the 2023-24 Oscar race but was not nominated.
Set against the backdrop of the 2011 South Sudan Independence referendum,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Faris Alrjoob's German-Jordanian short The Red Sea Makes Me Wanna Cry will be released on film streaming giant Mubi on April 20th making it the first Jordanian short film in Mubi's library, which is good news for cinephiles, who can now easily access the film on the platform with just a click and a small subscription fee.
Commenting on this unique partnership, Mad Solutions' co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab said: “We're ecstatic with our first collaboration with Mubi, the worldwide platform famous for its meticulous choices of their films' quality. We're proud this collaboration starts with The Red Sea Makes Me Wanna Cry that stole the spotlight on its world premiere at Cannes Film Festival and is also our second project with the director Faris Alrjoob.”
Mubi is a global streaming platform, production company, and film distributor founded in 2007. Mubi produces and theatrically distributes films by emerging and established filmmakers,...
Commenting on this unique partnership, Mad Solutions' co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab said: “We're ecstatic with our first collaboration with Mubi, the worldwide platform famous for its meticulous choices of their films' quality. We're proud this collaboration starts with The Red Sea Makes Me Wanna Cry that stole the spotlight on its world premiere at Cannes Film Festival and is also our second project with the director Faris Alrjoob.”
Mubi is a global streaming platform, production company, and film distributor founded in 2007. Mubi produces and theatrically distributes films by emerging and established filmmakers,...
- 4/21/2024
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Arab distributor Mad Solutions has taken distribution rights for Arab world territories on French director Jonathan Millet’s “Ghost Trail,” ahead of the psychological thriller’s upcoming world premiere as the opening film of Cannes Critics’ Week.
“Ghost Trail” is being sold by French arthouse production and distribution giant MK2.
Inspired by real-life events, “Ghost Trail” is the story of a Syrian man named Hamid who is part of a secret group pursuing fugitive leaders who perpetrated horrors in the name of the Syrian regime during the country’s civil war.
“His mission takes him to France, on the trail of his former torturer whom he must confront. But with his judgment clouded by pressure, doubt and revenge, can he be certain of the righteousness of his own actions?” the provided synopsis reads.
Cannes Critics’ Week artistic director Ava Cahen has described “Ghost Trail” as a “thrilling sensory film in...
“Ghost Trail” is being sold by French arthouse production and distribution giant MK2.
Inspired by real-life events, “Ghost Trail” is the story of a Syrian man named Hamid who is part of a secret group pursuing fugitive leaders who perpetrated horrors in the name of the Syrian regime during the country’s civil war.
“His mission takes him to France, on the trail of his former torturer whom he must confront. But with his judgment clouded by pressure, doubt and revenge, can he be certain of the righteousness of his own actions?” the provided synopsis reads.
Cannes Critics’ Week artistic director Ava Cahen has described “Ghost Trail” as a “thrilling sensory film in...
- 4/19/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Mohannad Al-Bakri, the managing director of the Jordanian Royal Film Commission (Rfc), is to receive the Arab Cinema Personality of the Year award during the upcoming Berlinale.
The honour is bestowed by the Arab Cinema Center (Acc) and highlights prominent industry figures whose contributions have helped elevate the Arab film industry in the eyes of the international filmmaking community.
Al-Bakri has been instrumental in growing the Jordan’s film industry since being named managing director at the Rfc in 2009, developing the commission’s funding and training programs, as well as building local production capacity with the opening of the country...
The honour is bestowed by the Arab Cinema Center (Acc) and highlights prominent industry figures whose contributions have helped elevate the Arab film industry in the eyes of the international filmmaking community.
Al-Bakri has been instrumental in growing the Jordan’s film industry since being named managing director at the Rfc in 2009, developing the commission’s funding and training programs, as well as building local production capacity with the opening of the country...
- 1/31/2024
- ScreenDaily
Jordanian Royal Film Commission managing director Mohannad Al-Bakri will be fêted during the Berlin Film Festival by the Arab Cinema Center with its Arab Cinema Personality of the Year Award.
The award honors prominent industry figures who have “helped elevate the Arab film industry in the eyes of the international filmmaking community as a whole,” a statement said. The Arab Cinema Center – which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year – is an umbrella group that serves as a catalyst for the Arab industry at top festivals and film markets around the world.
Al-Bakri started out at Jordan’s Rfc in 2007 as a capacity-building manager and rapidly rose to the role of managing director in 2009. Since then, he has spearheaded the commission’s funding and training programs and built local crew capacity in the leadup to the inauguration of Jordan’s first dedicated film studio complex, Olivewood Film Studios, which in...
The award honors prominent industry figures who have “helped elevate the Arab film industry in the eyes of the international filmmaking community as a whole,” a statement said. The Arab Cinema Center – which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year – is an umbrella group that serves as a catalyst for the Arab industry at top festivals and film markets around the world.
Al-Bakri started out at Jordan’s Rfc in 2007 as a capacity-building manager and rapidly rose to the role of managing director in 2009. Since then, he has spearheaded the commission’s funding and training programs and built local crew capacity in the leadup to the inauguration of Jordan’s first dedicated film studio complex, Olivewood Film Studios, which in...
- 1/31/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Eric Roberts Joins ‘Lolita’
Exclusive: Oscar nominee Eric Roberts (Runaway Train) has joined Johnny Ortiz (Peppermint) and Alexis Vazquez in feature drama Lolita from director Jorge Xolalpa. Filming is currently underway on the Mighty Aphrodite Pictures movie. The plot centers on Jesus (Vazquez), a man who after being released from jail tries to get custody of his daughter. Roberts will portray jaded police officer Jones who grows to care for Jesus’ wellbeing. Pic is being produced by Xolalpa at Mighty Aphrodite Pictures and Alfredo Widman. Roberts, whose recent credits include Damien Chazelle’s Babylon for Paramount Pictures, is repped by Sovereign Talent Group and Scott Carlson Entertainment.
Banijay Benelux Bolsters Nl Film Management Team
Banijay Benelux has promoted Dennis Cornelisse to the role of Managing Director and appointed Wynand Chocolaad as Head of Productions at Nl Film with immediate effect. Cornelisse, who previously served as producer at Nl Film, is replacing Alex Doff,...
Exclusive: Oscar nominee Eric Roberts (Runaway Train) has joined Johnny Ortiz (Peppermint) and Alexis Vazquez in feature drama Lolita from director Jorge Xolalpa. Filming is currently underway on the Mighty Aphrodite Pictures movie. The plot centers on Jesus (Vazquez), a man who after being released from jail tries to get custody of his daughter. Roberts will portray jaded police officer Jones who grows to care for Jesus’ wellbeing. Pic is being produced by Xolalpa at Mighty Aphrodite Pictures and Alfredo Widman. Roberts, whose recent credits include Damien Chazelle’s Babylon for Paramount Pictures, is repped by Sovereign Talent Group and Scott Carlson Entertainment.
Banijay Benelux Bolsters Nl Film Management Team
Banijay Benelux has promoted Dennis Cornelisse to the role of Managing Director and appointed Wynand Chocolaad as Head of Productions at Nl Film with immediate effect. Cornelisse, who previously served as producer at Nl Film, is replacing Alex Doff,...
- 1/31/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow and Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Arab distributor Mad Solutions has taken world sales on Lebanese director Myriam El-Hajj’s timely feature documentary “Diaries From Lebanon” ahead of its upcoming premiere in the Berlinale’s Panorama section.
El-Hajj’s new doc features three characters from different generations who are looking for their place in Lebanon, a country “haunted by a past that continues to pollute the present,” as the doc’s synopsis puts it.
The protagonists, named Georges, Joumana and Perla Joe, have different perspectives on whether to change Lebanon’s dismal national narrative “through war, politics or revolution,” the description continues.
But as Lebanon’s ongoing mayhem prompts personal quests for meaning and survival, they are all confronted with the same basic question: “Is it possible to sustain our dream in the face of a crumbling world around us?”
El-Hajj’s previous doc “A Time to Rest” examined Lebanon’s Civil War and premiered at...
El-Hajj’s new doc features three characters from different generations who are looking for their place in Lebanon, a country “haunted by a past that continues to pollute the present,” as the doc’s synopsis puts it.
The protagonists, named Georges, Joumana and Perla Joe, have different perspectives on whether to change Lebanon’s dismal national narrative “through war, politics or revolution,” the description continues.
But as Lebanon’s ongoing mayhem prompts personal quests for meaning and survival, they are all confronted with the same basic question: “Is it possible to sustain our dream in the face of a crumbling world around us?”
El-Hajj’s previous doc “A Time to Rest” examined Lebanon’s Civil War and premiered at...
- 1/26/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Mohamed Kordofani’s Sudanese title previously opened strongly in Egypt.
Mohamed Kordofani’s Goodbye Julia, which became the first Sudanese feature to ever play at Cannes earlier this year, has achieved another first following its release across the Gulf.
The film has recorded box office of $349,000 from 27,000 admissions following its release by Mad Solutions in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain on December 7 and in the UAE on December 14 across a total of 84 screens. This is a record for a non-Egyptian or non-Saudi arthouse film in the Gcc.
Saudi accounted for 40% of total takings from 37 screens while the UAE represented 30% of revenues from 27 screens.
Mohamed Kordofani’s Goodbye Julia, which became the first Sudanese feature to ever play at Cannes earlier this year, has achieved another first following its release across the Gulf.
The film has recorded box office of $349,000 from 27,000 admissions following its release by Mad Solutions in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain on December 7 and in the UAE on December 14 across a total of 84 screens. This is a record for a non-Egyptian or non-Saudi arthouse film in the Gcc.
Saudi accounted for 40% of total takings from 37 screens while the UAE represented 30% of revenues from 27 screens.
- 12/22/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Mad Solutions has acquired world sales rights to Osn’s first-ever original feature, “Yellow Bus,” which world premiered at the Toronto Film Festival.
As well as world sales, Mad Solutions will handle Middle East and North Africa theatrical distribution, while Osn will handle all other Mena rights. Sikhya Entertainment will handle distribution in the Indian subcontinent.
In U.S. filmmaker Wendy Bednarz’s feature debut, an Indian woman living in the Arabian Gulf embarks on a search for truth and accountability after her daughter is left to die on a school bus in the sweltering desert heat.
The film stars Syrian actress Kinda Alloush, alongside Indian star Tannishtha Chatterjee, who was nominated for best actress at the British Independent Film Awards for “Brick Lane,” as well as fellow prominent Indian actor Amit Sial, who is known for the series “Inside Edge,” and Aarushi Laud, who plays the daughter.
The film...
As well as world sales, Mad Solutions will handle Middle East and North Africa theatrical distribution, while Osn will handle all other Mena rights. Sikhya Entertainment will handle distribution in the Indian subcontinent.
In U.S. filmmaker Wendy Bednarz’s feature debut, an Indian woman living in the Arabian Gulf embarks on a search for truth and accountability after her daughter is left to die on a school bus in the sweltering desert heat.
The film stars Syrian actress Kinda Alloush, alongside Indian star Tannishtha Chatterjee, who was nominated for best actress at the British Independent Film Awards for “Brick Lane,” as well as fellow prominent Indian actor Amit Sial, who is known for the series “Inside Edge,” and Aarushi Laud, who plays the daughter.
The film...
- 12/6/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Mohamed Kordofani’s Khartoum-set drama Goodbye Julia made history at Cannes earlier this year as the first Sudanese feature to play in the festival across its 76 editions.
Six months on, the film is achieving a new first at the Egyptian box office.
The drama took the top slot on its opening day on October 25 on just nine screens, ahead of Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, which was on its second week on release on around 25 screens.
Widening out to some 25 screens, Goodbye Julia drew 13,135 spectators for a gross of $33,650 in its first week, according to locally collated figures.
By comparison, Killers of the Flower Moon went on to take $41,000 in the same week, for a total Egyptian gross of $102,000 by the end of its second week on release.
As of November 6, Goodbye Julia had grossed $56,637 in total.
Exploring the events leading up the 2011 schism between Sudan’s southern and northern populations,...
Six months on, the film is achieving a new first at the Egyptian box office.
The drama took the top slot on its opening day on October 25 on just nine screens, ahead of Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, which was on its second week on release on around 25 screens.
Widening out to some 25 screens, Goodbye Julia drew 13,135 spectators for a gross of $33,650 in its first week, according to locally collated figures.
By comparison, Killers of the Flower Moon went on to take $41,000 in the same week, for a total Egyptian gross of $102,000 by the end of its second week on release.
As of November 6, Goodbye Julia had grossed $56,637 in total.
Exploring the events leading up the 2011 schism between Sudan’s southern and northern populations,...
- 11/6/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Sudan has submitted Mohamed Kordofani’s Khartoum-set drama Goodbye Julia for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.
The film made history in Cannes this year as the first Sudanese film to play in the festival after it was selected for Un Certain Regard.
Its premiere took place just weeks after fighting broke out in Khartoum due to a clash between rival generals, which has led to the deaths of 5,000 people and uprooted seven million people.
Since Cannes, the film has also played at Karlovy Vary in its Horizons section and will make its Mena premiere at Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival in October ahead of a theatrical release in the country on October 25. It has also been selected for the BFI London Film Festival.
The selection was made by the Sudanese National Committee which is operating in exile.
Alaa Karkouti at Mad Solutions, which is handling world sales,...
The film made history in Cannes this year as the first Sudanese film to play in the festival after it was selected for Un Certain Regard.
Its premiere took place just weeks after fighting broke out in Khartoum due to a clash between rival generals, which has led to the deaths of 5,000 people and uprooted seven million people.
Since Cannes, the film has also played at Karlovy Vary in its Horizons section and will make its Mena premiere at Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival in October ahead of a theatrical release in the country on October 25. It has also been selected for the BFI London Film Festival.
The selection was made by the Sudanese National Committee which is operating in exile.
Alaa Karkouti at Mad Solutions, which is handling world sales,...
- 9/27/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Mad Solutions has acquired world sales rights to Egyptian director Amr Salama’s short film 60 Egyptian Pounds ahead of its world premiere as the opening film of the upcoming El Gouna Film Festival.
Salama is one of Egypt’s most popular directors with recent credits including Shahid-commissioned drama Bimbo, starring Ahmed Malek as a drug dealer-turned-detective; fantasy feature Bara El Manhag, Netlfix series Paranormal and Toronto hit Sheikh Jackson.
60 Egyptian Pounds grew out of Salama’s fascination and love of Egypt’s burgeoning hip-hop scene as well as desire to shed light on domestic abuse.
The short stars real-life Egyptian rap star Ziad Zaza, in his first big screen role, as a fictitious rapper with an abusive father, who takes it upon himself to end his family’s suffering once and for all.
“Working on 60 pounds was a liberating and refreshing experience,” says Salama. “I was curious to explore...
Salama is one of Egypt’s most popular directors with recent credits including Shahid-commissioned drama Bimbo, starring Ahmed Malek as a drug dealer-turned-detective; fantasy feature Bara El Manhag, Netlfix series Paranormal and Toronto hit Sheikh Jackson.
60 Egyptian Pounds grew out of Salama’s fascination and love of Egypt’s burgeoning hip-hop scene as well as desire to shed light on domestic abuse.
The short stars real-life Egyptian rap star Ziad Zaza, in his first big screen role, as a fictitious rapper with an abusive father, who takes it upon himself to end his family’s suffering once and for all.
“Working on 60 pounds was a liberating and refreshing experience,” says Salama. “I was curious to explore...
- 9/18/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Pan-Arab distributor Mad Solutions has acquired worldwide sales and distribution rights for Palestinian director Laila Abbas’ upcoming female empowerment drama “Thank You for Banking With Us!” and boarded the buzzed-about project as a co-producer.
The multi-pronged company that is active in marketing and talent representation – and has become a leading local distributor of Arabic-language films – recently branched out into international sales with Sudan’s Cannes title “Goodbye Julia.” The Cairo-based outfit, headed by Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, is also becoming more involved in packaging Arabic projects with international market prospects.
Laila Abbas is a Palestinian filmmaker, producer and academic who in 2013 made a splash with doc “Ice & Dust” about a young Palestinian woman who crosses the Atlantic ocean to search for a better life in Canada. In 2019, she was selected for Berlin Film Festival’s Berlinale Talents program to nurture emerging filmmakers.
“Thank You for Banking With Us!,” which is now in pre-production,...
The multi-pronged company that is active in marketing and talent representation – and has become a leading local distributor of Arabic-language films – recently branched out into international sales with Sudan’s Cannes title “Goodbye Julia.” The Cairo-based outfit, headed by Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, is also becoming more involved in packaging Arabic projects with international market prospects.
Laila Abbas is a Palestinian filmmaker, producer and academic who in 2013 made a splash with doc “Ice & Dust” about a young Palestinian woman who crosses the Atlantic ocean to search for a better life in Canada. In 2019, she was selected for Berlin Film Festival’s Berlinale Talents program to nurture emerging filmmakers.
“Thank You for Banking With Us!,” which is now in pre-production,...
- 6/30/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Sudanese director Mohamed Kordofani’s feature debut “Goodbye Julia,” a timely morality tale that takes place just before the 2011 secession of South Sudan and won the Un Certain Regard section’s Prix de Liberté (Freedom Prize) at Cannes, has scored a raft of sales following its launch.
The first Sudanese film ever to screen in Cannes official selection, “Goodbye Julia” is the story of two women — one from the North, the other from the South — who are brought together by fate in a complex relationship that attempts to reconcile differences between northern and southern Sudanese communities in the currently war-ravaged country.
After being picked up by Arp Sélection for France just ahead of its Cannes world premiere in May, the well-received drama has now been sold by pan-Arab distributor Mad Solutions – which moved into international distribution with this title – to the following territories: Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands (September Film...
The first Sudanese film ever to screen in Cannes official selection, “Goodbye Julia” is the story of two women — one from the North, the other from the South — who are brought together by fate in a complex relationship that attempts to reconcile differences between northern and southern Sudanese communities in the currently war-ravaged country.
After being picked up by Arp Sélection for France just ahead of its Cannes world premiere in May, the well-received drama has now been sold by pan-Arab distributor Mad Solutions – which moved into international distribution with this title – to the following territories: Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands (September Film...
- 6/16/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The Intl. Emerging Film Talent Assn. returns to Cannes for the 13th year with a series of events to showcase new faces from underrepresented regions. The lineup will include screenings of films centering on refugees, a cash award for a documentary and spotlights on Arab and Sudanese cinema.
For the sixth year, Iefta is collaborating with the United Nations Refugee Agency (Unhcr) at the Marche du Film. The program presents filmmakers — a number of them refugees themselves — who are documenting the experiences of those forced to flee from violence, famine or political oppression.
The Un agency and Iefta provide filmmaking tools and training to those affected. Refugees speak out about loss and desperation, but also resilience and hope.
“Refugee Voices in Films” this year features films from the Sudan Workshop focusing on the Horn of Africa. The Sudan Workshop is part of Unhcr’s developmental program with refugee filmmakers.
This...
For the sixth year, Iefta is collaborating with the United Nations Refugee Agency (Unhcr) at the Marche du Film. The program presents filmmakers — a number of them refugees themselves — who are documenting the experiences of those forced to flee from violence, famine or political oppression.
The Un agency and Iefta provide filmmaking tools and training to those affected. Refugees speak out about loss and desperation, but also resilience and hope.
“Refugee Voices in Films” this year features films from the Sudan Workshop focusing on the Horn of Africa. The Sudan Workshop is part of Unhcr’s developmental program with refugee filmmakers.
This...
- 5/17/2023
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
The Blue Caftan by Moroccan director and Cannes 2023 Jury member Maryam Touzani has topped the nominations in the seventh edition of the Critics Awards for Arab Films.
The portrait of marriage and stifled sexuality, starring Saleh Bakri and Lubna Azabal has been nominated in seven categories including best film, actor, actress, director, screenplay, cinematography and music.
The film world premiered in Cannes Un Certain Regard in 2022 and went on to be Morocco’s best international film submission for the 2023 Academy Awards making it as far as the first long list.
The Critics Awards for Arab Films are overseen by the Arab Cinema Centre and judged by 193 critics from 72 countries. The winners will be announced at a ceremony during Cannes.
To qualify for consideration, films need to have premiered at international film festivals outside of the Arab world in 2022; involve at least one Arab world production company, and be feature-length.
Other...
The portrait of marriage and stifled sexuality, starring Saleh Bakri and Lubna Azabal has been nominated in seven categories including best film, actor, actress, director, screenplay, cinematography and music.
The film world premiered in Cannes Un Certain Regard in 2022 and went on to be Morocco’s best international film submission for the 2023 Academy Awards making it as far as the first long list.
The Critics Awards for Arab Films are overseen by the Arab Cinema Centre and judged by 193 critics from 72 countries. The winners will be announced at a ceremony during Cannes.
To qualify for consideration, films need to have premiered at international film festivals outside of the Arab world in 2022; involve at least one Arab world production company, and be feature-length.
Other...
- 5/12/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Three categories have been added to this year’s awards.
Moroccan filmmaker Maryam Touzani’s The Blue Caftan leads the nominations in the 7th Critics Awards for Arab Films, which has added categories for best editing, cinematography and music.
The Arabic-language drama, in which a woman and her closeted gay husband hire a young apprentice at their caftan store, secured seven nominations – every category except editing and documentary. The film premiered in Un Certain Regard at Cannes last year and was Morocco’s submission for the international feature film Oscar, making the shortlist but not final nominations.
A strong showing...
Moroccan filmmaker Maryam Touzani’s The Blue Caftan leads the nominations in the 7th Critics Awards for Arab Films, which has added categories for best editing, cinematography and music.
The Arabic-language drama, in which a woman and her closeted gay husband hire a young apprentice at their caftan store, secured seven nominations – every category except editing and documentary. The film premiered in Un Certain Regard at Cannes last year and was Morocco’s submission for the international feature film Oscar, making the shortlist but not final nominations.
A strong showing...
- 5/12/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Paris-based distributor Arp Sélection has snapped up the timely Sudanese drama “Goodbye Julia” for French distribution ahead of its Cannes Un Certain Regard premiere next week.
The film, which is Sudanese director Mohamed Kordofani’s feature debut, marks the first feature from Sudan to bow from the Croisette and takes place just before the 2011 secession of South Sudan. In “Goodbye Julia,” two women — one from the North, the other from the South — are brought together by fate in a complex relationship that attempts to reconcile differences between northern and southern Sudanese communities.
in an interview with Variety, Kordofani expressed the hope that his film “Can be the start of a movement for reconciliation between all the Sudanese people” in the war-ravaged country.
The two central roles are played respectively by Eiman Yousif and Sudanese supermodel Siran Riak (pictured above), making her big-screen acting debut. The cast also includes Nazar Goma and Ger Duany,...
The film, which is Sudanese director Mohamed Kordofani’s feature debut, marks the first feature from Sudan to bow from the Croisette and takes place just before the 2011 secession of South Sudan. In “Goodbye Julia,” two women — one from the North, the other from the South — are brought together by fate in a complex relationship that attempts to reconcile differences between northern and southern Sudanese communities.
in an interview with Variety, Kordofani expressed the hope that his film “Can be the start of a movement for reconciliation between all the Sudanese people” in the war-ravaged country.
The two central roles are played respectively by Eiman Yousif and Sudanese supermodel Siran Riak (pictured above), making her big-screen acting debut. The cast also includes Nazar Goma and Ger Duany,...
- 5/11/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
‘Mena 360’ will spotlight the production and film financing opportunities in the Arab world.
The Cannes Market has partnered with Saudi Arabia’s Neom Media Industries and Arab Cinema Centre to host a conference on the fast-growing opportunities in production, finance and talent in the Middle East and North Africa.
Titled ’Mena 360: Accessing the Largest Untapped Market’ in the World, it will run as part of the Cannes Next programme and comprise three panels exploring the best ways for the international industry to secure financing, partners, locations and talent from the region.
Mena executives and talent due to speak on the panels include Wayne Borg,...
The Cannes Market has partnered with Saudi Arabia’s Neom Media Industries and Arab Cinema Centre to host a conference on the fast-growing opportunities in production, finance and talent in the Middle East and North Africa.
Titled ’Mena 360: Accessing the Largest Untapped Market’ in the World, it will run as part of the Cannes Next programme and comprise three panels exploring the best ways for the international industry to secure financing, partners, locations and talent from the region.
Mena executives and talent due to speak on the panels include Wayne Borg,...
- 5/11/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Emirati-British filmmaker Ali F. Mostafa has revealed he is developing a new feature spinning off his 2009 breakout debut City Of Life.
Revolving around three characters from different walks of life in Mostafa’s home city of Dubai, the original was a local breakout hit in the U.A.E. in 2009 and it remains one of the territory’s best-known films, both at home and internationally.
“I felt it was time to make a sequel because I started realizing how Dubai has changed so much. From 2009 to where we are today, not only is Dubai structurally, and physically changed, but when you go out you feel it has changed,” said Mostafa.
“It’s a lot more populated. We’re a lot more open to things we weren’t open to before. The region’s changed. There is less censorship in certain areas.”
The director, who is signed with talent agency UTA,...
Revolving around three characters from different walks of life in Mostafa’s home city of Dubai, the original was a local breakout hit in the U.A.E. in 2009 and it remains one of the territory’s best-known films, both at home and internationally.
“I felt it was time to make a sequel because I started realizing how Dubai has changed so much. From 2009 to where we are today, not only is Dubai structurally, and physically changed, but when you go out you feel it has changed,” said Mostafa.
“It’s a lot more populated. We’re a lot more open to things we weren’t open to before. The region’s changed. There is less censorship in certain areas.”
The director, who is signed with talent agency UTA,...
- 12/8/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Mad Solutions Launches Mad Crew Celebrity Unit to Represent Arab Directors and Producers (Exclusive)
Prominent Arab talent management agency and film distribution company Mad Solutions is launching Mad Crew Celebrity, a new unit dedicated to boosting the careers of Arab directors and producers, as well as writers, cinematographers, costume designers, composers and editors.
Mad Crew Celebrity comes after the company in 2020 formed its Mad Rising Celebrity division, dedicated to launching up-and-coming film and TV acting talents from across the Arab world, which in turn was a specialized spin-off of its core Mad Celebrity unit for top-tier acting and TV hosting talents.
Their client list at launch includes top directors Hany Abu-Assad (“The Mountain Between Us”), Mohamed Diab (“Moon Knight”), Marwan Hamed (“Blue Elephant”), Ameer Fakher Eldin (“The Stranger”) (pictured), and producer Dora Bouchoucha (“Hedi”) (pictured), to name a few.
Other prominent behind-the-camera talents already on the Mad Crew Celebrity roster include:
– Egyptian showrunner/director/screenwriter Tahmer Mohsen (“Newton’s Cradle”).
– Producer Shahinaz El-Akkad — CEO...
Mad Crew Celebrity comes after the company in 2020 formed its Mad Rising Celebrity division, dedicated to launching up-and-coming film and TV acting talents from across the Arab world, which in turn was a specialized spin-off of its core Mad Celebrity unit for top-tier acting and TV hosting talents.
Their client list at launch includes top directors Hany Abu-Assad (“The Mountain Between Us”), Mohamed Diab (“Moon Knight”), Marwan Hamed (“Blue Elephant”), Ameer Fakher Eldin (“The Stranger”) (pictured), and producer Dora Bouchoucha (“Hedi”) (pictured), to name a few.
Other prominent behind-the-camera talents already on the Mad Crew Celebrity roster include:
– Egyptian showrunner/director/screenwriter Tahmer Mohsen (“Newton’s Cradle”).
– Producer Shahinaz El-Akkad — CEO...
- 12/7/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Saudi Arabian actress Ahd Kamel’s long gestated feature directorial debut My Driver And I is a step closer to coming to fruition, following the arrival of fresh partners on the project.
Dubai-based pay-tv and streaming giant Osn has boarded the project to make an Osn Original.
It announced its commitment to the project and partnership with the Red Sea Fund, Mad Solutions and the U.K.’s Caspian Films at dinner at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Tuesday evening.
Jeddah-based production companies Yellow Camel and Millimeter are also on board as co-producers.
The partners have also unveiled the key cast including Jordanian star Saba Mubarak as well as Saudi Hip-Hop Artist Qusai Kheder, Sudanese You Will Die At 20 breakout Mostafa Shehata, and Baraa Alem, who co-starred in Saudi road movie-thriller Route 10 and will soon be seen in fantasy series Hwjn.
The feature is being produced as an...
Dubai-based pay-tv and streaming giant Osn has boarded the project to make an Osn Original.
It announced its commitment to the project and partnership with the Red Sea Fund, Mad Solutions and the U.K.’s Caspian Films at dinner at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Tuesday evening.
Jeddah-based production companies Yellow Camel and Millimeter are also on board as co-producers.
The partners have also unveiled the key cast including Jordanian star Saba Mubarak as well as Saudi Hip-Hop Artist Qusai Kheder, Sudanese You Will Die At 20 breakout Mostafa Shehata, and Baraa Alem, who co-starred in Saudi road movie-thriller Route 10 and will soon be seen in fantasy series Hwjn.
The feature is being produced as an...
- 12/7/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Dubai-based pay-tv and streaming service Osn has partnered with Arab film distributor Mad Solutions, the Red Sea Fund, and the U.K.’s Global Screen Fund, plus U.K. companies Corniche Media and Caspian Films, on Saudi multihyphenate Ahd Kamel’s long gestating feature film debut “My Driver and I.”
The production partnership for the feature was announced during a gala dinner at this week’s Red Sea Film Festival, which is taking place in Jeddah, where the film is also set.
Jordanian actress Saba Mubarak will star alongside regional acting talents, Qusai Kheder, Mostafa Shehata and Baraa Alem.
The feature is being produced as an Osn Original for its pay-tv and streaming network that will showcase the film for its Mena audiences. Mad Solutions holds all international distribution rights outside those Arab-speaking territories.
Kamel grew up in Saudi Arabia and moved to New York in 1998, where she studied at the Parsons School of Design,...
The production partnership for the feature was announced during a gala dinner at this week’s Red Sea Film Festival, which is taking place in Jeddah, where the film is also set.
Jordanian actress Saba Mubarak will star alongside regional acting talents, Qusai Kheder, Mostafa Shehata and Baraa Alem.
The feature is being produced as an Osn Original for its pay-tv and streaming network that will showcase the film for its Mena audiences. Mad Solutions holds all international distribution rights outside those Arab-speaking territories.
Kamel grew up in Saudi Arabia and moved to New York in 1998, where she studied at the Parsons School of Design,...
- 12/7/2022
- by Martin Dale
- Variety Film + TV
Prominent film distributor Mad Solutions has taken pan-Arab rights to abortion-themed Yemeni drama “The Burdened” (“Al Murhaqoon”), which is among works-in-progress presented at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Souk project market.
Produced and directed by Amr Gamal, “The Burdened” scooped an award among works-in-progress at the industry section of the Karlovy Vary Intl. Film Festival in July.
The story, written by Gamal and Mazen Refaat, centers on Ahmed, Isra’a and their three children in Aden, Yemen, in 2019. It is based on true events experienced by the director with one of his close friends. Due to the country’s economic crisis both parents lose their jobs. The drama starts with Isra’a finding out about her fourth pregnancy at a time when they cannot cover the expenses of a new child, leading them to make difficult decisions, amid their community’s conservative stance, in order to survive.
“Burdened” will be...
Produced and directed by Amr Gamal, “The Burdened” scooped an award among works-in-progress at the industry section of the Karlovy Vary Intl. Film Festival in July.
The story, written by Gamal and Mazen Refaat, centers on Ahmed, Isra’a and their three children in Aden, Yemen, in 2019. It is based on true events experienced by the director with one of his close friends. Due to the country’s economic crisis both parents lose their jobs. The drama starts with Isra’a finding out about her fourth pregnancy at a time when they cannot cover the expenses of a new child, leading them to make difficult decisions, amid their community’s conservative stance, in order to survive.
“Burdened” will be...
- 12/3/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Cairo-based film marketing and distribution outfit Mad Solutions has acquired rights for Arab territories to three films that celebrated their premieres this year at the Cannes and Venice film festivals.
The deals include Fyzal Boulifa’s “The Damned Don’t Cry,” which bowed in the Venice Days sidebar at the Italian fest and will have its Middle East and North Africa premiere at Marrakech before traveling to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival. Also acquired was Rachid Hami’s “For My Country,” a Venice Horizons selection that will have its regional premiere at the Cairo Film Festival.
The company also picked up the rights to Clément Cogitore’s “Sons of Ramses,” which had its world premiere in the Cannes Film Festival’s Critics’ Week strand.
“We are delighted to have acquired the distribution rights to three artistically distinguished films in 2022, which is considered the climax of our efforts in...
The deals include Fyzal Boulifa’s “The Damned Don’t Cry,” which bowed in the Venice Days sidebar at the Italian fest and will have its Middle East and North Africa premiere at Marrakech before traveling to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Festival. Also acquired was Rachid Hami’s “For My Country,” a Venice Horizons selection that will have its regional premiere at the Cairo Film Festival.
The company also picked up the rights to Clément Cogitore’s “Sons of Ramses,” which had its world premiere in the Cannes Film Festival’s Critics’ Week strand.
“We are delighted to have acquired the distribution rights to three artistically distinguished films in 2022, which is considered the climax of our efforts in...
- 11/16/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Leading Arab world distributor Mad Solutions has acquired pan-Arab rights to Ameer Fakher Eldin’s upcoming picture Yunan about a disillusioned, exiled writer who travels to a remote island in the North Sea.
Yunan is the second feature from Fakher Eldin, who was born in Kyiv to Syrian parents and now lives in Germany, after his critically acclaimed Golan Heights-set debut The Stranger (Al Garib) which premiered in Venice in 2021, and went on to represent Palestine at the Oscars.
Top Lebanese theater and film actor Georges Khabbaz will play the protagonist writer who travels from his exiled existence in Hamburg to a remote island in the North Sea with thoughts of suicide. There he meets an elderly woman whose quiet humanity incites a reawakening of his desires in life.
German actress Sibel Kekilli, best known for her role as Shae in Game Of Thrones,...
Yunan is the second feature from Fakher Eldin, who was born in Kyiv to Syrian parents and now lives in Germany, after his critically acclaimed Golan Heights-set debut The Stranger (Al Garib) which premiered in Venice in 2021, and went on to represent Palestine at the Oscars.
Top Lebanese theater and film actor Georges Khabbaz will play the protagonist writer who travels from his exiled existence in Hamburg to a remote island in the North Sea with thoughts of suicide. There he meets an elderly woman whose quiet humanity incites a reawakening of his desires in life.
German actress Sibel Kekilli, best known for her role as Shae in Game Of Thrones,...
- 11/15/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Cairo-based film marketing and distribution outfit Mad Solutions has acquired rights for Arab territories to Venice competition entry “Les Miens” (“Our Ties”), directed by French actor and filmmaker of Moroccan descent Roschdy Zem.
“Our Ties” is co-written by Zem with actor/director Maïwenn, who co-stars.
Zem is a French cinema fixture, having starred in pics including “Other People’s Children” and directed several films including 2019’s “Persona Non Grata.”
“Ties” is a drama about family dynamics centered around a man played by Sami Bouajila whose personality changes radically after he suffers a head injury. Zem plays his TV presenter brother.
Mad Solutions acquired Zem’s latest film from Wild Bunch.
“Ties” is one of four films in different sections at Venice that Mad Solutions will be releasing across the Arab world. The others are: Syrian director Soudade Kaadan’s “Nezouh,” the follow up to her splashy debut, “The Day I Lost My Shadow,...
“Our Ties” is co-written by Zem with actor/director Maïwenn, who co-stars.
Zem is a French cinema fixture, having starred in pics including “Other People’s Children” and directed several films including 2019’s “Persona Non Grata.”
“Ties” is a drama about family dynamics centered around a man played by Sami Bouajila whose personality changes radically after he suffers a head injury. Zem plays his TV presenter brother.
Mad Solutions acquired Zem’s latest film from Wild Bunch.
“Ties” is one of four films in different sections at Venice that Mad Solutions will be releasing across the Arab world. The others are: Syrian director Soudade Kaadan’s “Nezouh,” the follow up to her splashy debut, “The Day I Lost My Shadow,...
- 9/3/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
This fall, Arab filmmakers will be out in force at such prestigious international fests as Venice and Toronto. Venice alone boasts six features from first- and second-time Arab directors in its official sections, plus an additional six works-in-progress at its Final Cut Production Bridge. Meanwhile, Toronto opens with “The Swimmers,” a drama from U.K. helmer Sally El Hosaini based on the journey of Syrian sisters and Olympic hopefuls Yusra and Sara Mardini, who fled the war in their home country for Germany. Yusra competed in the 2016 and 2021 Summer Olympics. An additional six Arab films will screen at the Canadian fest.
Dek: Arab filmmakers embrace genres and issues as festivals and distributors take notice
By Alissa Simon
This fall, Arab filmmakers will be out in force at such prestigious international fests as Venice and Toronto. Venice alone boasts six features from first- and second-time Arab directors in its official sections,...
Dek: Arab filmmakers embrace genres and issues as festivals and distributors take notice
By Alissa Simon
This fall, Arab filmmakers will be out in force at such prestigious international fests as Venice and Toronto. Venice alone boasts six features from first- and second-time Arab directors in its official sections,...
- 9/3/2022
- by Alissa Simon
- Variety Film + TV
It is Kaadan’s second feature after The Day I Lost My Shadow, which won Venice’s Luigi De Laurentiis Award for best first film in 2018.
Cairo-based film company Mad Solutions has acquired Middle East and North Africa distribution rights for Syrian director Soudade Kaadan’s upcoming drama Nezouh, set against the backdrop of Syria’s civil conflict.
The film, which is sold internationally by mk2 films, is in post-production and is expected to world premiere at a festival later this year. Mad Solutions has released a first image for the film as it nears completion.
It is Kaadan’s...
Cairo-based film company Mad Solutions has acquired Middle East and North Africa distribution rights for Syrian director Soudade Kaadan’s upcoming drama Nezouh, set against the backdrop of Syria’s civil conflict.
The film, which is sold internationally by mk2 films, is in post-production and is expected to world premiere at a festival later this year. Mad Solutions has released a first image for the film as it nears completion.
It is Kaadan’s...
- 5/23/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Cairo-based Mad plans to theatrically release five to seven Arab-language films in N America a year.
Cairo-based Arab cinema distribution and marketing company Mad Solutions is extending its footprint into North America after taking an equity stake in New York-based arthouse distributor D Street Releasing.
Under the new partnership, Mad Solutions will theatrically release five to seven Arab-language films in the US and Canada annually.
First titles being lined up for 2022 include Jordanian filmmaker Zaid Abu Hamdan’s family drama Daughters of Abdul-Rahman; Tunisian director Mehdi Hmili’s post-revolution societal drama Streams, about a woman who overcomes the odds to reunite with her son,...
Cairo-based Arab cinema distribution and marketing company Mad Solutions is extending its footprint into North America after taking an equity stake in New York-based arthouse distributor D Street Releasing.
Under the new partnership, Mad Solutions will theatrically release five to seven Arab-language films in the US and Canada annually.
First titles being lined up for 2022 include Jordanian filmmaker Zaid Abu Hamdan’s family drama Daughters of Abdul-Rahman; Tunisian director Mehdi Hmili’s post-revolution societal drama Streams, about a woman who overcomes the odds to reunite with her son,...
- 5/18/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Cairo-based film marketing and distribution outfit Mad Solutions has taken an equity ownership stake in New York’s revived arthouse distributor D Street Releasing.
The partnership will extend the reach of Mad Solutions’ theatrical distribution operations, giving it an inroad into the U.S. arthouse sector where so far Arab cinema has been largely reliant on festival exposure.
Mad Solutions, which is a top distributor of specialty Arab cinema across the West Asia region, now plans to release between five and seven standout titles from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other Arabic-speaking countries to North American audiences.
D Street Releasing, which has been largely dormant in recent years, is a division of D Street Media Group, the New York-based production, distribution and music publishing company with affiliate operations in the U.S., Germany, Ecuador, Argentina and South Africa.
Mad co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab met D Street’s founding CEO...
The partnership will extend the reach of Mad Solutions’ theatrical distribution operations, giving it an inroad into the U.S. arthouse sector where so far Arab cinema has been largely reliant on festival exposure.
Mad Solutions, which is a top distributor of specialty Arab cinema across the West Asia region, now plans to release between five and seven standout titles from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other Arabic-speaking countries to North American audiences.
D Street Releasing, which has been largely dormant in recent years, is a division of D Street Media Group, the New York-based production, distribution and music publishing company with affiliate operations in the U.S., Germany, Ecuador, Argentina and South Africa.
Mad co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab met D Street’s founding CEO...
- 5/18/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The Intl. Emerging Film Talent Assn. (Iefta) returns to the Cannes Festival for the 12th year with film programs, panels, awards and cocktail receptions.
Iefta, with the U.N. Refugee Agency and its Telling the Real Story program, will present the fifth edition of Refugee Voices in Film beginning at noon on May 21 and May 22, both at Palais 1.
For the fourth year, Iefta also will sponsor a cash award of 10,536 to one of the 32 docs-in-progress from eight presenting partners participating in the Marché’s Docs-in-Progress Showcases at the May 24 Cannes Docs program headed by Pierre-Alexis Chevit.
Third, Iefta, in conjunction with Arab Cinema Centre and Mad Solutions, will present the Critics Awards for Arab Films ceremony, including a special honor to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (Unhcr) at the Carlton Beach.
The annual Refugee Voices in Film honors filmmakers — many of whom are refugees themselves — who document people enduring irregular migration,...
Iefta, with the U.N. Refugee Agency and its Telling the Real Story program, will present the fifth edition of Refugee Voices in Film beginning at noon on May 21 and May 22, both at Palais 1.
For the fourth year, Iefta also will sponsor a cash award of 10,536 to one of the 32 docs-in-progress from eight presenting partners participating in the Marché’s Docs-in-Progress Showcases at the May 24 Cannes Docs program headed by Pierre-Alexis Chevit.
Third, Iefta, in conjunction with Arab Cinema Centre and Mad Solutions, will present the Critics Awards for Arab Films ceremony, including a special honor to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (Unhcr) at the Carlton Beach.
The annual Refugee Voices in Film honors filmmakers — many of whom are refugees themselves — who document people enduring irregular migration,...
- 5/10/2022
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
As the 2021 Locarno Film Festival rounds its final bend, sales deals were still coming through.
In one such pact, San Sebastian New Directors title “That Weekend” has been snapped up by leading Italian sales-production shingle The Open Reel. A debut feature from director Mara Pescio, the film tells the story of Julia who returns to the neighborhood she left years ago to recover money she hid in her home. The reunion prompts a life-changing confrontation with her daughter.
The film is an Argentina-Brazil co-production hailing from Maravillacine, Murillo Cine, Santiago Carabante and Persona Non Grata Pictures. Variety previously spoke with Pescio about her making her directorial bow.
In other late Locarno dealing, Compañia de Cine, a Buenos Aires-based boutique sales operation, announced it had taken world rights to “Mostro,” which world premiered Aug. 11 in Locarno Cineasti del Presente.
Also, Mad Solutions signed all sales and distribution rights for Arab-speaking countries...
In one such pact, San Sebastian New Directors title “That Weekend” has been snapped up by leading Italian sales-production shingle The Open Reel. A debut feature from director Mara Pescio, the film tells the story of Julia who returns to the neighborhood she left years ago to recover money she hid in her home. The reunion prompts a life-changing confrontation with her daughter.
The film is an Argentina-Brazil co-production hailing from Maravillacine, Murillo Cine, Santiago Carabante and Persona Non Grata Pictures. Variety previously spoke with Pescio about her making her directorial bow.
In other late Locarno dealing, Compañia de Cine, a Buenos Aires-based boutique sales operation, announced it had taken world rights to “Mostro,” which world premiered Aug. 11 in Locarno Cineasti del Presente.
Also, Mad Solutions signed all sales and distribution rights for Arab-speaking countries...
- 8/12/2021
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
Acquisitions include upcoming films Yousry Nasrallah, Muayad Alayan and Mohamed ben Attia.
Cairo-based film company Mad Solutions has unveiled an acquisition slate of more than 50 Arabic-language titles from 13 different territories that it plans to get into festivals and cinemas across the Middle East and North Africa in 2021 and 2022.
“During the pandemic, we used the opportunity to discuss the objectives and goals for Arab films, to strengthen links with the public, and to be a part of projects from the beginning, developing the films together,” said company co-heads Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab. “We feel that there is a bright future...
Cairo-based film company Mad Solutions has unveiled an acquisition slate of more than 50 Arabic-language titles from 13 different territories that it plans to get into festivals and cinemas across the Middle East and North Africa in 2021 and 2022.
“During the pandemic, we used the opportunity to discuss the objectives and goals for Arab films, to strengthen links with the public, and to be a part of projects from the beginning, developing the films together,” said company co-heads Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab. “We feel that there is a bright future...
- 5/28/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
L’Abidine’s recent acting credits have included The Eddy and Arabic horror movie Bloodline.
Tunisian acting star Dhafer L’Abidine is making his directorial debut with father and son drama Ghodwa, which he also produces and stars in.
The storyline revolves around an estranged father and son who are brought together after the older man falls ill. With time running out, a series of unexpected events reverse their traditional roles. The title Ghodwa translates as “tomorrow’ in English.
The production began shooting in Tunis last week.
“I always wanted to direct, but I wanted to find the right story. Ghodwa...
Tunisian acting star Dhafer L’Abidine is making his directorial debut with father and son drama Ghodwa, which he also produces and stars in.
The storyline revolves around an estranged father and son who are brought together after the older man falls ill. With time running out, a series of unexpected events reverse their traditional roles. The title Ghodwa translates as “tomorrow’ in English.
The production began shooting in Tunis last week.
“I always wanted to direct, but I wanted to find the right story. Ghodwa...
- 3/22/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Huda’s Salon
Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad heads into his eighth feature with Huda’s Salon, a based-on-a-true-story nightmare which was forced to halt production twice due to the pandemic. Scripted by Abu-Assad, he’s joined in the producer’s seat by Amira and Maher Diab, Shahinaz el Akkad, and Alaa Karkouti. Lensed by Ehab Assal (who shot Abu-Assad’s Omar and The Idol), Manal Awad stars as Huda, joined by the stellar Ali Suliman, Maisa Abd Elhadi, and Samer Bisharat. Abu-Assad’a major breakout was 2005’s Paradise Now, which competed in Berlin and won several prizes. 2013’s Omar played in Un Certain Regard at Cannes where it picked up a Special Jury Prize and his 2002 debut Rana’s Wedding was in Critics’ Week.…...
Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad heads into his eighth feature with Huda’s Salon, a based-on-a-true-story nightmare which was forced to halt production twice due to the pandemic. Scripted by Abu-Assad, he’s joined in the producer’s seat by Amira and Maher Diab, Shahinaz el Akkad, and Alaa Karkouti. Lensed by Ehab Assal (who shot Abu-Assad’s Omar and The Idol), Manal Awad stars as Huda, joined by the stellar Ali Suliman, Maisa Abd Elhadi, and Samer Bisharat. Abu-Assad’a major breakout was 2005’s Paradise Now, which competed in Berlin and won several prizes. 2013’s Omar played in Un Certain Regard at Cannes where it picked up a Special Jury Prize and his 2002 debut Rana’s Wedding was in Critics’ Week.…...
- 1/3/2021
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Cairo-based film marketing and distribution outfit Mad Solutions is launching Mad Rising Celebrity, a new unit dedicated to launching up-and-coming film and TV acting talents from across the Arab world.
The new Mad Solutions subsidiary has recruited a rich roster of rising Arab actors comprising Saudi Arabia’s Fatima AlBanawi (pictured) – who starred in groundbreaking Saudi comedy “Barakah Meets Barakah,” and more recently landed a small role in new Netflix Arabic original “Paranormal” – and Tunisian thesp Farès Landoulsi, featured in Netflix drama “Messiah,” among other rising celebrities.
“Nobody has been working on new Arab talents,” noted Mad Solutions co-founder Alaa Karkouti, speaking to Variety. He added that besides filling the gap by representing actors the new unit also intends to start handling up-and-coming Arab directors, writers, producers and cinematographers.
Karkouti also noted that Mad Solutions – which has long been active as an Arab world film distributor and has been branching...
The new Mad Solutions subsidiary has recruited a rich roster of rising Arab actors comprising Saudi Arabia’s Fatima AlBanawi (pictured) – who starred in groundbreaking Saudi comedy “Barakah Meets Barakah,” and more recently landed a small role in new Netflix Arabic original “Paranormal” – and Tunisian thesp Farès Landoulsi, featured in Netflix drama “Messiah,” among other rising celebrities.
“Nobody has been working on new Arab talents,” noted Mad Solutions co-founder Alaa Karkouti, speaking to Variety. He added that besides filling the gap by representing actors the new unit also intends to start handling up-and-coming Arab directors, writers, producers and cinematographers.
Karkouti also noted that Mad Solutions – which has long been active as an Arab world film distributor and has been branching...
- 11/16/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Films include Hany Abu-Assad’s Huda’s Salon and Mohammed Diab’s Amira.
Cairo-based Mad Solutions has boarded Arab sales and distribution rights for 11 anticipated films from the Middle East and North Africa, most of which are now in post-production.
It is handling three of the titles with Shahinaz El-Akkad’s Lagoonie Film Production: Amira, Huda’s Salon and Daughters Of Abdulrahman
Amira, the third film from Egypt’s Mohamed Diab following the award-winning dramas 678 and Clash, is in post-production. Palestinian Oscar-nominated director Hany Abu-Assad thriller Huda’s Salon is midway through shooting.
Daughters Of Abdulrahman is the debut feature...
Cairo-based Mad Solutions has boarded Arab sales and distribution rights for 11 anticipated films from the Middle East and North Africa, most of which are now in post-production.
It is handling three of the titles with Shahinaz El-Akkad’s Lagoonie Film Production: Amira, Huda’s Salon and Daughters Of Abdulrahman
Amira, the third film from Egypt’s Mohamed Diab following the award-winning dramas 678 and Clash, is in post-production. Palestinian Oscar-nominated director Hany Abu-Assad thriller Huda’s Salon is midway through shooting.
Daughters Of Abdulrahman is the debut feature...
- 6/23/2020
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦69¦
- ScreenDaily
Adam 2019 Photo: Courtesy of Cannes Film Festival The shortlisted nominees for the Critics Awards for Arab Films have been announced. The award has been voted on by 142 film critics from 57 countries in under its jury committee. The winners will be announced during the upcoming edition of the Virtual Cannes Market (June 22-26).
Elia Sulieman's absurdist consideration of the Palestine situation, It Must Be Heaven and Maryam's female-centric drama Adam lead the nominations list with four each.
Co-founders of Acc, Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab said: "We're proud to announce the fourth edition of the Critics' Awards for Arab Films. Although we won't be able to hold the reception in Cannes as usual, however we're happy that it shall continue as part of the festival in its virtual edition this year.
“We are also thrilled to announce Deborah Young as the newly appointed Manager of the Critics Awards for Arab Films for the next two years,...
Elia Sulieman's absurdist consideration of the Palestine situation, It Must Be Heaven and Maryam's female-centric drama Adam lead the nominations list with four each.
Co-founders of Acc, Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab said: "We're proud to announce the fourth edition of the Critics' Awards for Arab Films. Although we won't be able to hold the reception in Cannes as usual, however we're happy that it shall continue as part of the festival in its virtual edition this year.
“We are also thrilled to announce Deborah Young as the newly appointed Manager of the Critics Awards for Arab Films for the next two years,...
- 6/16/2020
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Due to coronavirus concerns movie theaters have been shuttered across most of the Middle East where the United Arab Emirates, which is the region’s top market, on Saturday also announced closure of Hollywood theme parks including Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and the Legoland Waterpark in Dubai.
Across the Middle East and North Africa the only countries where cinemas currently remain open are Egypt, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan and Syria.
“As cinemas are closed, now is a good time to binge on all of our good titles available on VOD from the comfort of your own homes,” said Gianluca Chakra, head of Dubai-based Middle East distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment, in a Facebook post.
“We wish everyone a safe journey in this difficult time.”
In Dubai movie theaters were ordered to stop operating by authorities on Sunday, after Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco, among other countries, ordered a shutdown of cinemas earlier in the week.
Across the Middle East and North Africa the only countries where cinemas currently remain open are Egypt, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan and Syria.
“As cinemas are closed, now is a good time to binge on all of our good titles available on VOD from the comfort of your own homes,” said Gianluca Chakra, head of Dubai-based Middle East distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment, in a Facebook post.
“We wish everyone a safe journey in this difficult time.”
In Dubai movie theaters were ordered to stop operating by authorities on Sunday, after Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco, among other countries, ordered a shutdown of cinemas earlier in the week.
- 3/16/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
It is the Golden Globe-winning and Oscar-nominated director’s first feature shot in Palestine since his 2015 Gaza-set drama The Idol.
Memento Films International (Mfi) has boarded sales on Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad’s new film Huda’s Salon, which is billed as a “feminist spy thriller” set in the West Bank town of Bethlehem.
It is the Golden Globe-winning and Oscar-nominated director’s first feature shot in Palestine since his 2015 drama The Idol about a talented young singer who makes his way out of the Gaza Strip to compete in Arab Idol.
Based on real events, the new film co-stars...
Memento Films International (Mfi) has boarded sales on Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad’s new film Huda’s Salon, which is billed as a “feminist spy thriller” set in the West Bank town of Bethlehem.
It is the Golden Globe-winning and Oscar-nominated director’s first feature shot in Palestine since his 2015 drama The Idol about a talented young singer who makes his way out of the Gaza Strip to compete in Arab Idol.
Based on real events, the new film co-stars...
- 2/20/2020
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Rotana’s catalogue of 2,000 titles is one of the biggest in the Arab cinema in the world.
Cairo-based Arab cinema distribution and marketing specialist Mad Solutions has struck a deal with Saudi Arabia’s Rotana Media Group to distribute its film library outside the Arab world.
The Riyadh-based entertainment giant owns one of the biggest catalogues of Arab cinema in the world, spanning 2,000 classic and new films dating from 1939 to 2020.
Under the deal, Mad Solutions will market the catalogue at festivals and markets to find international distribution outlets for the titles.
It will kick off the new relationship with an...
Cairo-based Arab cinema distribution and marketing specialist Mad Solutions has struck a deal with Saudi Arabia’s Rotana Media Group to distribute its film library outside the Arab world.
The Riyadh-based entertainment giant owns one of the biggest catalogues of Arab cinema in the world, spanning 2,000 classic and new films dating from 1939 to 2020.
Under the deal, Mad Solutions will market the catalogue at festivals and markets to find international distribution outlets for the titles.
It will kick off the new relationship with an...
- 2/20/2020
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
The joint initiative between European Film Promotion and the Arab Cinema Center, aiming to promote European cinema to the Arab world, handed out its award at the Cairo Film Festival. Efp (European Film Promotion) and the Arab Cinema Center (Acc) have presented the first Arab Critics' Award for European Films to God Exists, Her Name is Petrunya by Teona Strugar Mitevska. 42 film critics from 13 Arab countries selected the best European film out of 24 nominations submitted by national film promotion institutions from throughout Europe. During a festive event at the Cairo International Film Festival, Sonja Heinen, Alaa Karkouti, Maher Diab and festival director Mohamed Hefzy presented the Arab Critics' Award to Labina Mitevska, producer and one of the lead actresses of the winning film (and the director's sister). In a joint statement, the creative sisters thank the jury: "We come from a country, a region, a zone of...
- 11/26/2019
- Cineuropa - The Best of European Cinema
Feature revolves around woman who challenges male-only tradition.
North Macedonian director Teona Strugar Mitevska’s drama God Exists, Her Name is Petrunya has won the inaugural Arab Critics’ Awards for European Films.
The prize was announced on Saturday evening at the Cairo International Film Festival.
The new awards are a joint initiative between European Film Promotion (Efp), the Arab Cinema Centre (Acc) and online platform Festival Scope. It involves 42 film critics from 13 Arab countries who screened 24 European features.
Efp managing director Sonja Heinen was in Cairo to present the award alongside Acc co-founder Alaa Karkouti.
The other two nominated films...
North Macedonian director Teona Strugar Mitevska’s drama God Exists, Her Name is Petrunya has won the inaugural Arab Critics’ Awards for European Films.
The prize was announced on Saturday evening at the Cairo International Film Festival.
The new awards are a joint initiative between European Film Promotion (Efp), the Arab Cinema Centre (Acc) and online platform Festival Scope. It involves 42 film critics from 13 Arab countries who screened 24 European features.
Efp managing director Sonja Heinen was in Cairo to present the award alongside Acc co-founder Alaa Karkouti.
The other two nominated films...
- 11/24/2019
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
“God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya,” a satirical drama by Macedonian director Teona Strugar Mitevska, has won the inaugural Arab Critics’ Award for European Films. The film, which positions itself as “a feminist cry against a patriarchal Macedonia in the grips of bullying machismo and hidebound religion,” according to its review in Variety, was selected by 42 Arab film critics from 24 nominations submitted by national film institutions from across Europe.
European Film Promotion, an agency that boosts the global profile of European cinema, and the Arab Cinema Center revealed the winner on Saturday at the Cairo Intl. Film Festival.
The aim of the award is to promote European cinema in the Arab world, and raise the interest of Middle Eastern distributors and other industry players in European films, as well as putting a spotlight on the work of film critics from Arab countries in bridging cultural differences and introducing audiences to new forms of cinema.
European Film Promotion, an agency that boosts the global profile of European cinema, and the Arab Cinema Center revealed the winner on Saturday at the Cairo Intl. Film Festival.
The aim of the award is to promote European cinema in the Arab world, and raise the interest of Middle Eastern distributors and other industry players in European films, as well as putting a spotlight on the work of film critics from Arab countries in bridging cultural differences and introducing audiences to new forms of cinema.
- 11/24/2019
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Winner will be announced at the Cairo International Film Festival.
The shortlist for the inaugural edition of the new Arab Critics’ Awards for European Films has been unveiled.
The three nominated films are: Spanish filmmaker Salvador Simo’s feature-length animation Buñuel In The Labyrinth Of The Turtles; Polish director Jan Komasa’s drama Corpus Christi and North Macedonian director Teona Strugar Mitevska’s work God Exists, Her Name is Petrunya.
The winner will be announced at the Cairo International Film Festival (Ciff) running Nov 20-29.
Simo’s Buñuel In The Labyrinth Of The Turtles – inspired by the shoot of Luis Buñuel...
The shortlist for the inaugural edition of the new Arab Critics’ Awards for European Films has been unveiled.
The three nominated films are: Spanish filmmaker Salvador Simo’s feature-length animation Buñuel In The Labyrinth Of The Turtles; Polish director Jan Komasa’s drama Corpus Christi and North Macedonian director Teona Strugar Mitevska’s work God Exists, Her Name is Petrunya.
The winner will be announced at the Cairo International Film Festival (Ciff) running Nov 20-29.
Simo’s Buñuel In The Labyrinth Of The Turtles – inspired by the shoot of Luis Buñuel...
- 11/20/2019
- by 1100380¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
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