Two films distributed by MAD Solutions are taking part in the Shubbak Festival: A Window on Contemporary Arab Culture (1-16 July). The two films are: director Mounia Akl's short film Submarine and director Soudade Kaadan's documentary film Obscure. The screening of Obscure will be followed
by a Q&A session with director Soudade Kaadan at the Barbican Centre.

Founded in 2011, the Shubbak Festival is a key moment in the arts calendar of the UK and the Arab World, bringing new and unexpected voices alongside established artists to new audiences every two years.

About Submarine:

Submarine landed its world premiere at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, followed by its participation
at the Toronto International Film Festival, in addition to 15 international festivals. Submarine's
director Mounia Akl has won the Special Jury Prize in the Muhr Short competition at the 13th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). Under the imminent threat of Lebanon's garbage crisis, Hala, a wild child inside of a woman is the only one to refuse evacuation, clinging to whatever remains of home.
Produced by Cyril Aris and Jinane Chaaya, and distributed by MAD Solutions in the Arab world, Submarine stars Julian Farhat, Yumna Marwan, and Adel Chahine. Submarine was also awarded the James Bridges production grant.

Screening Times of Submarine at the Shubbak Festival (GMT +1)
Tuesday, 4th of July, at 06:30 pm at the Barbican Centre

About Obscure:

Obscure landed its world premiere within the Official Competition at the Copenhagen International Documentary Festival (CPH:DOX). The film tells the story of Ahmad, a Syrian child who doesn't want to remember that he is Syrian. Half traumatized, half trying to escape his reality, Ahmad prefers to be silent and asleep. In his silence and refusal to talk, he takes us in a journey where individual and collective Syrian memories collapse.

Soudade Kaadan's film is a co-production between Syria and Lebanon through KAF production. The
film has earned the MAD Solutions award within the events of the 4th Venice Final Cut Workshop at
the 73rd Venice International Film Festival that offers promotional and distribution services to the winning project across the Arab world.

Screening Times of Obscure at the Shubbak Festival (GMT +1)
Sunday, 9th of July, at 04:30 pm at the Barbican Centre
Followed by a Q&A session with director Soudade Kaadan