Dhafer L’Abidine’s gripping family thriller SOPHIA had two successful screenings at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (Feb 4th-14th), where it celebrated its U.S. premiere in the presence of the film’s director, writer, producer, and star, Dhafer L’Abidine.
 
The film — which had its world premiere at the Marrakech International Film Festival — now sets its sights on the UK, where it will screen at the Manchester Film Festival (March 19th- 29th), on Saturday, March 28th at 2:10 pm at Odeon Screen 11.
 
Against the wishes of her father, Emily travels from London to Tunisia in the hopes of reconnecting her daughter, Sophia, with her estranged husband. The unthinkable happens when Sophia disappears, and lies and deceit quickly ensnare the broken family. Emily’s world is flipped upside down as she races against time to find her daughter.
 
Praised for its gripping narrative, SOPHIA has been hailed by Allan Hunter of Screen Daily, who wrote that the film “delivers enough intrigue, twists and strong-arm tactics.”
 
A co-production between Double A Productions and New Sparta Productions, SOPHIA is written, directed, and produced by Dhafer L’Abidine and boasts a star-studded cast, including Dhafer L’Abidine (CHILDREN OF MEN, SEX AND THE CITY 2), Jessica Brown Findlay (DOWNTON ABBEY, BRAVE NEW WORLD), Kais Setti ( DOGS OF BERLIN, BLOOD RED SKY), and Jonathan Hyde (TITANIC, ANACONDA).
 
The film features cinematography by Willie Nel (MEERKAT MAANTUIG, THE MAURITANIAN), editing by Hafedh Laaridhi (THE VILE, GHODWA), production design by Adel Ouni (CHILD OF THE SUN), sound by Moncef Taleb (TLAMESS), and an original score composed by Selim Arjoun (SWIM 62). MAD World handles worldwide sales, while MAD Distribution oversees MENA-wide distribution.
 
Dhafer L’Abidine is a Tunisian actor, writer, and director whose career spans British television, international cinema, and major productions across the Arab World. A graduate of the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama, he began his screen journey in the UK with shows such as DREAM TEAM and SPOOKS. He went on to appear in high-profile films like CHILDREN OF MEN and SEX AND THE CITY 2, and on TV series including THE LOOMING TOWER and THE EDDY. In the Arab region, he became a household name through serials such as MAKTOUB, HALAWAT EL DONIA, and AROUS BEIRUT, showcasing his versatility in drama, action, and romance.
 
Behind the camera, L’Abidine made his feature debut with GHODWA, which he co-wrote, directed, starred in, and produced through Double A Productions. The film was shortlisted for the Golden Globe Awards and won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cairo International Film Festival. His second feature, TO MY SON, earned Best Film and a Special Mention for Screenwriting at the Hollywood Arab Film Festival, solidifying his reputation as a multifaceted storyteller on both regional and international stages.