Among these films is Daughters of Abdul-Rahman, directed by Zaid Abu Hamdan and starring Saba Mubarak, which is selected as the opening film for the festival.
Standing as a unique platform for the Nordic and Arab film industries, MAFF aims to screen films from different Arab countries for the foreign communities residing in Sweden that include almost 175 nationalities.
The festival attracts thousands of filmmakers annually, including directors, actors, producers, and film enthusiasts from around the world. This year’s edition features 56 films (31 features & 25 shorts), produced by 14 Arab countries.
The Feature Film Competition shall witness the screening of Jordanian film The Alleys, written and directed by Bassel Ghandour, Tunisian film Streams by director Mehdi Hmili, Moroccan films Our River...Our Sky by Maysoon Pachachi , and Life Suits Me Well by Al Hadi Ulad-Mohand, as well as Algerian film Soula by director Salah Issaad.
On the other hand, the Short Film Competition will feature Jordanian film Arnoos, by Samer Battikhi, and the two Palestinian films By the Sea by director Wisam Al Jafari, and Lovesick in the West Bank by Said Zagha.
The two Tunisian films I’ll go to Hell by Ismahane Lahmar, and Communion by Nejib Belkadhi, shall also join the Arabian Nights competition.
About Daughters of Abdul-Rahman:
Years after escaping a dictated life, four estranged and offbeat sisters are forced to come together to find their suddenly-missing father. In their secret searching journey, secrets are revealed and more.
Written and directed by Zaid Abu Hamdan, Daughters of Abdul-Rahman stars Saba Mubarak, Farah Bsaiso, Hanan Al Hilo, Mariam Al Basha, Khalid Al Tarifi, Mohammed Al Jizawi, and Mohamed Bakri.
It is produced by Pan East Media (Saba Mubarak & Aya Wuhoush), Lagoonie Film Production, and Arab Media Network. MAD Solutions handles the film’s distribution in the Arab world.
About The Alleys:
In a gossip-ridden, violent neighborhood in East Amman, a young hustler will stop at nothing to be with his secret lover, but her merciless mother won’t have it.
When an extortionist catches the couple in the act, the mother solicits a gangster to put a stop to it all... things don’t go as planned.
The Alleys is written and directed by Bassel Ghandour and stars Emad Azmi, Baraka Rahmani, Munther Rayahneh, Maisa Abd Elhadi,, Nadira Omran, and Nadim Rimawi.
The film is produced by Bayt Al Shawareb (Yousef Abed Al-Nabi), The Imaginarium Films (Rula Nasser) and co-produced by Lagoonie Film Production (Shahinaz El Akkad).
MAD Solutions handles the film’s sales and distribution across the Arab World, while Elle Driver (France) handles international sales.
About Soula:
Soula is the story of a single mother whose father expelled her, leaving her homeless with her baby. Soula finds herself going from one car to another with other people while looking for a safe location to stay the night.
Throughout a night full of unfortunate events along the roads of Algeria, Soula tries her best to change her destiny, but fate has another saying.
Written, directed, and produced by Salah Issaad, Soula is co-written by Soula Bahri, whose life story inspired the director to turn it into a film and let Soula play the lead role.
The film is produced by Issaad Film Productions (the three brothers Taqi Eldin, Abdelghafour, and Salah Issaad).
The film stars Soula Bahri, Idir Benaibouche, and Franck Yvrai. MAD Solutions handles the film’s marketing and distribution in the Arab world.
About Streams:
Amel is released from prison after an adulterous affair. In the lower depths of Tunis, she is searching for her missing son Moumen. During her journey, Amel faces a Tunisian society in full collapse.
Written and directed by Mehdi Hmili, Streams stars Afef Ben Mahmoud, Iheb Bouyahia, Zaza, Sarah Hannachi and Slim Baccar and features music composer Amine Bouhafa.
MAD Solutions handles the film’s distribution across the Arab world.
The film is a joint production between Yol Film House (Tunisia), Tarantula (Luxembourg), MPM Film (France), Clandestino Production (Tunisia), in association with Allam Film (USA).
About Our River…Our Sky:
The narrative in Our River…Our Sky (aka Kulshi Makoo in Arabic) is set against a background of sectarian violence in the last week of 2006, between Christmas and the Adha Eid.
It tells the stories of ordinary Iraqis trying to live their everyday lives in Baghdad, the capital; despite unpredictable violent events, which put them in peril.
Sara, a single mother and novelist, who has a writer’s block, triggered by such non verbale violence.
Shortly before the New Year, following unexpected news, Sara and her neighbors brace themselves for an uncertain future while trying to sustain a fragile sense of hope.
The film is written by Maysoon Pachachi who co-wrote it with Irada Al-Jubori.
The cast includes Darina Al Joundi (as Sara), Basim Hajar, Meriam Abbas, renowned Iraqi actor Mahmoud Abo Al Abbas,Zaydun Salman Khalaf, Sami Al-Ali, Ahmed Hashimi, Labwa Arab, and Ali Al Kareem.
The crew includes Production & Custom Designer Rayah Aasee, Assistant Director Haidar Hakim (Slemani), Assistant Director Ahmed Yassin Aldaradji (Baghdad).
The film is scored by Ehsan Al Imam and Khayam Al Lami.
The production was initially developed by Oxymoron Films (UK) and Linked Productions (Kuwait) and made in co production with its other main producers Les Contes Modernes (France) and Neue Mediopolis Filmproduktion (Germany).
MAD Solutions handles the film’s distribution across the Arab world.
About Life Suits Me Well:
It is the mid-1990s. In a small town in the north of Morocco, Fouad is the only employee at the local post office.
When he suffers from a neurological disease, his life changes and a new story begins for Fouad, his wife and their children. Their home will be filled with love, sorrow and memories.
While Fouad is dying, his family members rediscover themselves.
As time goes by, the wounds begin to surface – but the desire to live is inextinguishable.
Written and directed by Al Hadi Ulad Mohand, Life Suits Me Well stars Samir Guesmi, Lubna Azabal, Sayed El Alami, and Jalal Quarrioua, and produced by Kasbah Films (Karim Debbagh).
MAD Solutions handles the film’s distribution in the Arab world.
About Communion:
During the lockdown, Sarra works from home in the humanitarian sector, helping people in distress during the Covid-19 crisis.
Her husband Kais, psychotic, finds himself without medication, out of stock. Then begins the downfall to hell. Meanwhile nature regains its rights, and the air becomes purer and more breathable...
Communion is written and directed by Nejib Belkadhi, who also co-stars in the film alongside Souhir Ben Amara. It is produced by Imed Marzouk, and Nejib Belkadhi, and MAD Solutions handles the film’s distribution in the Arab world
About I’ll Go to Hell:
The film tells the story of Najet, whom the doctors say that she will die soon. Thus, she decides to take the rest of her life head-on, instead of giving in to self-pity.
Najet begins to organize for her big departure, as she doesn’t like to be buried in a white shroud and end up eaten by worms.
However, her family opposes her wishes.
The film is written and directed by Ismahane Lahmar, who also stars in it along with Rashid Abdelhamid, Fatma Ben Saidane, and Slym Achour.
MAD Solutions handles the film’s marketing and distribution across the Arab world.
About Lovesick in the West Bank:
A Palestinian family hosts a young American tourist after a simple misunderstanding.
But as chaos unfolds in their village, it doesn't take too long for them to become part of the absurd mayhem that immediately ensues.
Written and directed by Said Zagha, Lovesick in the West Bank is produced by Mais Salman (Nomadic Film House), and features a stellar Arab cast, including Ali Suliman, Nisreen Faour, Laith Zuaiter, and Nabil Koni.
MAD Solutions handles the film’s marketing and distribution in the Arab world.
About Arnoos:
On a normal day at a shopping square in Amman, Sami, a 15- year- old spoiled naive kid, along with Mahmoud the 15-year-old street-smart hustler and corn seller are ready to execute their plan and steal a surprise gift in order to impress Sami’s girlfriend; unaware of the uncalculated twists that are coming their way from the shop owners.
Arnoos is written and directed by Samer Battikhi, and stars Saba Mubarak, Ahmed Al Omari, Ziad Bakri, Fadi Haddadin, and Mohammed Idris.
It’s produced by Pan East Media and Sierra Bravo Productions and is distributed across the Arab world by MAD Solutions.
About By the Sea:
Nahid tries to celebrate her husband’s birthday while he is being chased by Israeli soldiers. Due to Covid-19 containment, it is really difficult for Nahid to get all the ingredients needed to bake the birthday cake.
Will Nahid be able to celebrate her husband’s birthday with him in their secret place?
Written and directed by Wisam Al Jafari, By the Sea stars Yasmin Shalaldeh, Ward Al Kurdi and Emile Saba.
MAD Solutions handles the film’s marketing and distribution.
