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MAD shorts to send 19 shorts to Iraq International Film Festival for Youth Films

19 February 2025

With an impressive selection of 19 short films from its extensive distribution slate, MAD Solutions is set to have a strong presence at the inaugural Iraq International Film Festival for Youth Films, taking place from February 19th to 22nd in Baghdad.
This diverse lineup features dramas, thrillers, and social comedies that tell stories from across the Arab World, including three films from Egypt, five from Palestine, three from Jordan, three from Saudi Arabia, two from Lebanon, and one each from Sudan, Algeria, and Tunisia.

Here are the 19 MAD shorts participating in the festival:

Hend Sohail’s A PROMISE TO THE SEA follows Zein, who, after irrationally deciding to steal his mother’s corpse during the funeral preparations, recklessly drives far from his humble hometown and hits the highway, where he encounters a situation that will change his life forever.

Luay Awwad’s BORN A CELEBRITY follows Kamel, a 25-year-old Palestinian who feels confined in his small Palestinian town and close-knit community and embarks on a journey to discover his personal freedom and privacy.

Yasser Faiz’s BOUGAINVILLEA is set against the backdrop of Sudan's 2018 revolution and tells the poignant story of six women imprisoned during the revolution.

Moatasem Taha’s IN THE WAITING ROOM follows Hussein — a 30-year-old Palestinian Arab with Israeli citizenship — who escorts his freshly bereaved 70-year-old mother, Rashida, to her medical appointment in an Israeli hospital. As they wait for their turn, Rashida, who hasn't left her house in three months, tries to socialize with the other patients in her limited Hebrew.

John Fareed Zaki's MADONNA revolves around the theft of an Italian painter's artifact, reigniting an old conflict between two Jesuit priests. When an investigation is launched, all suspicions fall on the monastery's chef. However, a confession is eventually made, and the real perpetrator is uncovered.

Rami Al-Kassab’s LOSS, which is based on true events, follows a group of migrants as they journey into Egypt on the back of a pickup truck. En route, in the middle of the desert, they suffer a significant and harrowing loss.

Imene Ayadi’s NYA is set during the Algerian Civil War and follows Anya, a carefree little girl who is blissfully unaware of the war tearing the country apart. Her one wish is that her father, a journalist on a mission, returns home in time for Mouloud celebrations. The troubles of reality seep into her life, however, causing her innocence to waver.

Rehab Nazzal’s VIBRATIONS FROM GAZA offers a glimpse into the lives of deaf children in the besieged and occupied Gaza Strip. Through the voices of children who have grown up under the relentless blockade and repeated Israeli aggression, it vividly conveys how they experience the bombings, destruction, and drone buzz overhead.

Amani Jaafer’s A LULLABY UNLIKE ANY OTHER follows Nour, a young Palestinian woman pursuing her studies in Sweden. She wanders the streets of Stockholm recalling distant memories; retracing her steps, she reminisces over the trauma inflicted by the occupation, the memories of her family, and a lullaby long since lost.

Mohammad Gotta’s WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? follows a young artist in his twenties who abandons his family, refusing to submit to social constraints. Depressed, lonely, and stuck in his small derelict studio flat, he stumbles upon his elderly neighbor, a woman neglected by her family and in need of intimacy. Despite their differences, the two develop an unlikely connection through their shared experiences of hardship and love of music.

Areeb Zuaiter’s ONE LAST WISH revolves around Serine, whose coaching skills are deeply influenced by her grandmother, Salma, who holds a special place in her heart despite the physical distance. Upon receiving distressing news of Salma's illness, Serine embarks on a long journey to reunite with her. Upon arrival, she realizes that while understanding her grandmother's wishes is tough, accomplishing them proves even more daunting.

Hussen Ibraheem’s MANITY is set on a sunny day when Firas — an 11-year-old boy — accompanies his father Tayseer and his father's friend Rayan on a bird-hunting jaunt in the Lebanese mountainside. What is supposed to be a calm hunting trip turns into an unforgettable experience.

Nour Ben Salem and Julien Menanteau’s PALESTINE ISLANDS follows a young Palestinian refugee girl who plans an elaborate ruse to make her blind grandfather believe the separation wall fell, giving him hope of returning to his homeland.

Hayder Dawood’s Saudi short THE LAST WINTER follows Mohsen, who returns to visit his friend Hayder four years after his initial journey to Sweden, while being filled with a deep longing for their shared homeland of Saudi Arabia. As they navigate through Hayder’s final winter there, their friendship grows stronger, becoming a source of support and comfort amid a backdrop of longing and change.

Hussein Hijazi’s LEGACY takes place in a troubled country where politicians have drained people's savings; Rabih faces a crisis when his father needs urgent medical care. With time running out and money scarce, Rabih races against the odds to save his father's life.

Ethar Baamer’s IN BETWEEN follows a young woman struggling to find her true self. Overwhelmed by societal expectations that dictate how she should look and who she should be, the central character responds by separating into multiple versions of herself, trying on different identities.

Arwa Salem’s 1420 follows the story of Samia, who loses her vision and finds solace in music, and Salem, who embraces extremism. When their marriage encounters a significant obstacle, it ultimately impacts their daughter Worood.

Annie Sakkab’s THE POEM WE SANG delves into the history behind We Are a Proud Nation, a nearly lost anthem of Palestinian pride and resistance.

Wisam Al-Jafari’s BY THE SEA follows Nahid, who wants to celebrate her husband’s birthday while he is on the run from Israeli soldiers; however, due to the COVID-19 lockdown, 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 hideout?