Fresh off his acclaimed performance in the multi-award-winning PALESTINE 36, Tunisian filmmaker Dhafer L’Abidine returned to the spotlight at the Marrakech International Film Festival with the world premiere of his gripping family thriller SOPHIA — a project he leads as writer, director, and star. Ahead of its debut, the film was officially boarded by MAD World, the Arab region’s most prolific international sales agent.
 
The screening drew an exceptional turnout, with audience demand filling the premiere to a capacity crowd. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as Dhafer L’Abidine — joined by key cast members Jessica Brown Findlay, Jonathan Hyde, Kais Setti, Hiba Abouk, and young actress Maya Celine Gharbi — took the stage to introduce the film. Their presence, along with the heartfelt applause that followed the premiere, set an emotional and electric tone for the night in Marrakech.
 
The premiere also welcomed notable regional and international figures, including filmmakers, producers, festival programmers, and long-time collaborators of L’Abidine. The screening concluded to warm, extended applause, with festivalgoers praising the film’s tense, human-centered storytelling and powerful performances.
 
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.
 
A co-production between L’Abidine’s Double A Productions and New Sparta Productions,
SOPHIA is written, directed, and produced by Dhafer L’Abidine. The film’s cinematography is by Willie Nel (MEERKAT MAANTUIG, THE MAURITANIAN), with editing by Hafedh Laaridhi (THE VILE, GHODWA), production design by Adel Ouni (CHILD OF THE SUN), sound by Moncef Taleb (TLAMESS), and music composed by Selim Arjoun (SWIM 62).
 
MAD World is handling worldwide sales for SOPHIA, continuing its mission to bring bold, high-quality Middle Eastern cinema to audiences across the globe.
 
Reflecting on the project, Dhafer L’Abidine said: “SOPHIA is a thriller with a heart. I wanted to tell a human story that transcends geography and nationality, one that speaks to audiences everywhere. I’m thrilled to have it screened at the Marrakech International Film Festival, a platform that celebrates exceptional filmmaking and stories that resonate worldwide.”
 
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.