Through its official YouTube channel, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) released the international trailer of director Amr Salama's film Sheikh Jackson. Sheikh Jackson will land its world premiere at TIFF's 42nd edition (September 7-17) as the closing film of the Special Presentations section that presents world premieres or Canadian premieres of the year's awaited films, in addition to the most recent films by the world's leading filmmakers. In this section, Sheikh Jackson will compete for the prize of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) and the Audience Award.

The trailer reveals some interesting features of the film and its main character, the preacher whose life is turned upside down after the death of Michael Jackson. In less than 24 hours, the trailer achieved the second rank among the most watched videos on TIFF's YouTube channel with nearly 40,000 views.

Sheikh Jackson will land its Egyptian and Arab world premiere by opening the first edition of El Gouna Film Festival (from 22 to 29 September), where it will be competing within the festival's Feature Narrative Competition.

The events of the film take us back to June 25, 2009 as the news of Michael Jackson's death took the world by storm affecting many, especially a preacher who is dubbed "Jackson" during his school days. But, what does a preacher have in common with the King of Pop? More importantly, can he now go back to his normal life, or will his memories and relationships with his loved ones raise the most prominent question in his mind? Is he the Sheikh, Jackson, or both?

Co-produced by The Producers, Film Clinic and iProductions with Daniel Ziskind as Associate Producer, Sheikh Jackson is written and directed by Amr Salama and co-written by Omar Khaled. The film stars Ahmad Al Fishawy, Maged El Kedwany, Ahmed Malek, and Amina Khalil. The film will also feature several guest stars, including Dorra, Basma, and Mahmoud El-Bezzawy. The German company Media Luna is responsible for distributing the film outside the Arab world.