MAD Solutions — the MENA region’s top film distribution agent — is sending five films from its remarkable short film slate to screen and compete at the Imedghassen Film Festival’s Short Film Competition, which is taking place from May 11th to the 15th in Algeria.
 
MAD’s short film lineup includes Aziz Zoromba’s SIMO, Ward Kayyal’s HAMZA: CHASING THE GHOST CHASING ME, Mohamed Fawi’s BUZZ, Bachir Abou Zeid’s IDRIS, and Nejib Kthiri’s TRINOU.
 
Starting us off is Aziz Zoromba’s Canadian short SIMO, which held its international premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and its European premiere at the 73rd Berlinale and has since screened at over 25 prestigious film festivals worldwide, and won 8 awards.
 
The short tells the compelling story of the complex brotherhood between Simo and Emad, filled with competition and jealousy.
 
In a desire to prove his popularity and his capabilities to his older brother, Simo sneakily takes over Emad's online gaming. However, his actions take a dangerous turn that may seriously impact their family's future.
 
SIMO was directed, written, and co-edited by Aziz Zoromba alongside Omar Elhamy, and lensed by Alexandre Nour Desjardins. The film stars Basel El-Rayes, Seif El-Rayes, and Aladeen Tawfeek known for his roles on X-MEN: APOCALYPSE and THE HUMMINGBIRD PROJECT.
 
SIMO will be screening on Tuesday, May 14th, at 11 pm.
 
Next up is Ward Kayyal’s Palestinian short HAMZA: CHASING THE GHOST CHASING ME, which kicked off 2024 with a brilliant tour of the festival circuit, with festivals such as the Chicago Palestine Film Festival, the Houston Palestine Film Festival, the Baghdad Film Festival, the First Independent Palestinian Film Festival, and El Ard Film Festival.
 
The drama — which has screened at over 20 film festivals — tells the story of Hamza, a middle-aged man who refuses to abandon a routine he has kept since his release from Israeli jail; every day, he goes into the woods to hunt a lion that the locals don't believe exists. 
 
The short is headlined by award-winning actor Kamel El-Basha — one of the most prominent names in Arab cinema, known for THE INSULT, CURFEW, and ROOM 207 — alongside Ruba Blal, Motaz Malhes, and Khulood Basel.
 
The Palestinian drama was also produced by Hiba Salameh of Hiba Production, written by Majd Kayyal, lensed by Ashraf Dowani, and edited by Saed Andoni. 
 
The film will be screening on Sunday, May 12th, at 6 pm.
 
Third in the lineup is Mohamed Fawi’s Sudanese short BUZZ, which world premiered at the Cairo International Film Festival and follows the story of a sick mother who watches her son and daughter prepare for her inevitable passing and their new reality as her health deteriorates. 
 
The film — which screened at 11 international film festivals — stars Jasour Abuelgasim, Zahra Mansour, and Ali Abdalgafar. BUZZ was directed and co-written by Fawi alongside Ahmed Shaweesh and Noura Adil, the film was lensed by Mansour Omer, edited by Ahmed Shaweesh, and produced by Amjad Abualala known for YOU WILL DIE AT TWENTY and GOODBYE JULIA.
 
BUZZ will be screening on Sunday, May 12th, at 8 pm.
 
Fourth is Bachir Abou Zeid’s Lebanese short IDRIS, which world premiered at the Alexandria Mediterranean Film Festival and recently won the Popular Jury Prize at the Bracciano International Film Festival.
 
The film’s events unfold when, upon his return home, a young shepherd discovers that one of his sheep is missing. Fearful of punishment, he sets off with his friend in an attempt to find it, however, they soon find themselves in harm’s way when they step into a forest full of landmines.
 
Written, edited, and directed by Bachir Abou Zeid and lensed by Hasan Salame, the film stars Fouade Salame and Karim Maanaki.
 
IDRIS will be screening on Monday, May 13th, at 4 pm.
 
Lastly, Nejib Kthiri’s British-Tunisian short TRINOU tells the story of Omar — a young boy who escapes his failing body and secluded life by traveling in dreams he creates from magazines his mother used to give him. 
 
When his stepfather urges his wife to change her approach towards her son and stop giving him magazines, both mother and son take an important and life-changing step.
 
TRINOU world premiered at the Cairo International Film Festival and screened at over 17 international film festivals.
 
The cast for TRINOU includes Max Pemberton — who guest-starred as Dalton in the first episode of Tim Burton's Netflix series Wednesday — as the lead, alongside Mohamed Grayaa, Kaouther Dhaouedi, and Eleanor Crowe.
 
The short film was written and directed by Nejib Kthiri, lensed by Jamie Touche, and edited by Christian Radclyffe.
 
TRINOU will be screening on Monday, May 13th, at 3 pm