MAD sending off 4 feature-length titles to 45th Cairo International Film Festival

release date November 17 2024

MAD Solutions — the Arab World’s largest and most prolific distributor and marketer of pan-Arab indie films — is sending off four exciting feature-length titles from its slate of recent acquisitions to the upcoming 45th Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), which is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday, November 13th and run till the 22nd.

The running themes of MAD’s entries this year at the CIFF seem to be rebellion, perseverance, loss, and fighting for a better future, evident in Myriam El Hajj’s documentary on Lebanon’s recent years of unrest DIARIES FROM LEBANON, Mahmoud Nabil’s exploration of life in Gaza before the ongoing genocide in GAZAN TALES, Mohamed Subahi’s documentary on the struggle to establish a civil government in Sudan in MADANIYA, and Yasemin Şamdereli’s biopic tale on a Somali girl from humble beginnings’ journey to the Olympics in SAMIA.

For those eager to find out more about MAD’s titles at this year’s CIFF and when they can catch them, here’s a very brief rundown of each title:

DIARIES FROM LEBANON is a docudrama that takes place in Lebanon, where, in the form of diaries, the filmmaker narrates four tumultuous years of a nation in turmoil, battling to break free from its own chains.

The film was written, directed, and co-lensed by El Hajj alongside Jihad Saadé and Mohamed Siam, produced by Sassine of Abbout Productions and Ruszniewski of GoGoGo Films, and edited by Anita Perez and Stéphanie Sicard. MAD World handles the film’s worldwide sales.

It also features author and activist Joumana Haddad, Lebanese war veteran Georges Moufarej, and artist and activist Perla Joe Maalouli, and will be screening at 9 pm on November 19th at the Small Theater and once more at 6 pm on the 20th at Zamalek Cinema 2.

Next in line is GAZAN TALES which follows four men as they navigate distinct paths in pursuit of their own definitions of life. Viewers are immersed in the daily lives of Gaza’s denizens, observing their routines in their beloved city by the sea.

The film is directed by Mahmoud Nabil, written and photographed by the From Gaza to the World Team, edited by Yassine Tibisi, scored by Shahd Awawdeh and Basil Rahula, with sound design handled by Rafid Shamrokhi.

It is scheduled for three screenings, with its Arab World premiere set for 6 pm at the CIFF’s Small Theater on November 15th, its second screening at 4 pm on the following day at Zamalek Cinema 2, and the third at 4 pm on the 17th at VOX - Mall of Egypt’s Hall 4.

Third in line is MADANIYA, a documentary following three Sudanese youths struggling to change their circumstances in the wake of national upheaval, which will also be holding its Arab World premiere at this year’s CIFF, screening at 6 pm on November 18th at the Small Theater, and once more at 6:30 pm on the 19th at Zamalek Cinema 1.

Lastly, SAMIA is based on the true story of Samia Yusuf Omar, whose journey inspired the bestselling book Don’t Tell Me You’re Afraid, published in over a dozen languages and winner of the Premio Strega Giovani Award.

The film follows a young Somali athlete as she boldly pursues her dreams, becoming a symbol in the fight for freedom and women’s rights worldwide. Defying societal taboos, she races through the streets of Mogadishu, a city where women are not supposed to run. Her passion ultimately leads her to the Olympic Games.

Holding its MENA premiere at the Hanager Theater on November 14th at 12 pm and a second screening at 9 pm on the 15th at the AUC’s Ewart Hall, SAMIA is directed by Yasemin Şamdereli from a screenplay co-written with Nesrin Şamdereli and Giuseppe Catozzella, the film is produced by Simone Catania (Indyca), edited by Mechthild Barth, and lensed by Florian Berutti.