MAD Solutions sends two of its films to the 7th edition of the Arab Film Festival Amman (20 - 26 August) that is organized by the Royal Film Commission - Jordan (RFC) and held under the patronage of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities H.E Lina Annab. The two MAD films are; director Sherif El Bendary's film Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim and Mahmoud Sabbagh's film Barakah Meets Barakah.

The screening of Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim will be held on Sunday, the 20th of August at 08:00 pm and will be followed by a discussion with the film's director Sherif El Bendary, while the screening of Barakah Meets Barakah will be held on Saturday, the 25th of August at 08:00 pm and will be followed by a discussion with Film Analyst Alaa Karkouti.

Launched in 2011, the Arab Film Festival Amman is organized by the Royal Film Commission - Jordan (RFC) with the aim of providing filmmakers from Jordan with a chance to see films from around the Arab world and to communicate with Arab filmmakers.

About Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim

Ali, The Goat and Ibrahim follows a strange love story of a young man living in a rough neighborhood. He travels across Egypt on the recommendation of a psychic along with Ibrahim who is almost driven mad by the voices he hears in his head. Their journey turns into a voyage of friendship and self-discovery.

The film stars Ali Sobhi, Ahmed Magdy, Salwa Mohamed Aly and Nahed El Sebai. Directed by Sherif El Bendary, Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim is written by Ahmed Amer, based on Ibrahim El Batout's story, and produced by Mohamed Hefzy's Film Clinic, Transit Films of Hossam Elouan, and the French film production company Arizona Productions led by Guillaume de Seille, along with Daniel Ziskind as Associate Producer. The film's distribution in the Arab world is jointly handled by MAD Solutions and Film Clinic-Indie Distribution (FCID), while its worldwide distribution is handled by the French sales agent Loco Films.

The film's world premiere was held at the 2016 Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), where it competed within the Muhr Feature competition and Ali Sobhi won the Best Actor Award for his role in the film. Most recently, director Sherif El Bendary's debut feature Ali, The Goat and Ibrahim took part in the Mons International Love Film Festival in Belgium, making its outside the Arab world premiere, besides its participation in the 19th Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in Paris. The film won three awards during its participation in the Final Cut Workshop at the Venice International Film Festival. Most recently, the film is taking part in the Arab Film Festival Australia.

About Barakah Meets Barakah

Barakah Meets Barakah tells the story of two lovers who are united in an environment hostile to dating of any kind. He is Barakah, the municipal civil servant from Jeddah, who is also an amateur actor in a theatrical troupe. She is Barakah, a wild beauty, who functions as a crowd-puller for her stylish mother's boutique and runs her own widely-seen vlog. They both defy customs and traditions, as well as the religious police, using modern communication technologies and traditional dating methods.

Produced by El Housh Productions, Barakah Meets Barakah stars Hisham Fageeh, Fatima Al Banawi, Sami Hifny, Abdulmajeed Alruhaidi and Khairia Nazmi. The film is written and directed by Mahmoud Sabbagh. MAD Solutions, alongside Film Clinic-Indie Distribution (FCID), acquired the Arab world distribution rights to the film.

Barakah Meets Barakah was Saudi Arabia's official submission to the 2017 Academy Awards. The film received a Certificate of Appreciation at the Prospects of Arab Cinema (PAC) programme within the 38th Cairo International Film Festival. The film also took part in the 27th Carthage Film Festival (JCC) and was selected by the 60th BFI London Film Festival, run by the British Film Institute (BFI), to compete within the Laugh Gala. Moreover, the film has also been selected to compete in the Special Presentations section at the 41st Toronto International Film Festival following its world premiere at the 66th Berlinale where it won the Ecumenical Jury Prize in the Forum section.

Screening Times of MAD Solutions' Films at the Royal Film Commission - Jordan (RFC) (GMT +3)
Ali, the Goat and Ibrahim: Sunday, the 20th of August at 08:00 pm
Barakah Meets Barakah: Saturday, the 25th of August at 08:00 pm