Two films from MAD Solutions’ distribution slate — Roschdy Zem's feature film OUR TIES and Muschirf Shekh Zeyn’s short film KILLING BAGHEERA — are set to be screened at the 10th edition of the Duhok International Film Festival, which will be running from December 9th to the 16th in Iraq. 
 
OUR TIES held its world premiere at the 2022 Venice International Film Festival — where it competed for the Golden Lion Grand Prix — and its Arab World premiere at the 44th Cairo International Film Festival's International Panorama Section, and was commercially released in French theatres in November 2022. 
 
The film follows Moussa, who has always been kind, selfless, and there for his family. Unlike his brother Ryad, a high-profile TV presenter who is widely criticized for his egocentricity by those around him, his only defender is Moussa, who admires him greatly. 
 
When an accident befalls Moussa, causing him serious brain damage, he now speaks without any filter, telling the brutal truth to friends and family alike, leading all to resent him, except Ryad.
 
Directed by Roschdy Zem — who co-wrote the script with Maïwenn, a French actress who also stars in the movie, previously won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and was nominated for several César Awards — OUR TIES stars a group of award-winning actors, including Sami Bouajila. 
 
The cast also includes Rachid Bouchareb — who has received several awards from Cannes, Berlin, and Locarno, as well as a César Award — Roschdy Zem, Meriem Serbah, Abel Jafri, Lila Fernandez, and Nina Zem.
 
The second MAD entry, KILLING BAGHEERA, screened at nearly 30 prestigious film festivals around the world, winning a dozen awards, including Best Short Film at the Biberacher Filmfestspiele, Best Short Film on Refugees at the International Inter-University Short Film Festival, three awards for short films at the Filmfestival Turkey/Germany, the Social Influence Award at the Watersprite Film Festival, and the Window to Bavaria Award at the Regensburg Short Film Week. 
 
The short film follows Alan and Bekes, who find in their attempts to enter Europe as refugees that their journey is fraught with dangers and challenges that will put their friendship to the test.