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MAD Solutions sends four bold Films to 5th Red Sea International Film Festival
04 November 2025
With themes of exile, isolation, war, colonialism, and revenge, MAD Solutions caps off a festive and busy year by sending four standout films from its extensive distribution slate to the fifth Red Sea International Film Festival, held from December 4th to 13th in Al-Blad, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The lineup includes Ameer Fakher Eldin’s YUNAN, competing in the Red Sea Competition, and Annemarie Jacir’s PALESTINE 36, featured in the Arab Spectacular Program — both holding their Arab World premieres — alongside Kaouther Ben Hania’s THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB, presented in the Special Screenings, and Mohamed Rashad’s THE SETTLEMENT, showcased in the Festival Favorites Program.
Opening the lineup in the festival's Red Sea competition is YUNAN — a meditative exploration of exile and isolation. On a remote island, Munir seeks solitude to contemplate a final act, only to find solace in the quiet presence of Valeska, whose compassion reignites his fading will to live. A Canadian-German-Italian co-production with contributions from Palestine, Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, the film world premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival and went on to win Best Film and Best Actor at the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival.
Written, directed, and edited by Fakher Eldin, YUNAN stars Georges Khabbaz, Hanna Schygulla, Ali Suliman, Sibel Kekilli, and Tom Wlaschiha, with a stirring score by Canadian Jordanian composer Suad Bushnaq.
PALESTINE 36, Palestine’s official submission for the 98th Academy Awards, revisits the events leading to the Arab Revolt of 1936. The film premiered to sold-out acclaim at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival and is a co-production between Palestine, the UK, France, Denmark, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Its star-studded cast includes Hiam Abbass, Kamel El Basha, Saleh Bakri, Yasmine Al-Massri, Jeremy Irons, Dhafer L’Abidine, Billy Howle, Liam Cunningham, Robert Aramayo, Jalal Altawil, and newcomers Yafa Bakri and Karim Daoud Anay.
THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB, Tunisia’s official submission to the 98th Academy Awards and winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, is a harrowing docu-drama based on the true story of six-year-old Hind Rajab, killed by Israeli forces in Gaza.
The film incorporates real-life voice recordings between Hind and Red Crescent volunteers during her final moments, offering an unflinching portrayal of innocence lost. A Tunisian-French co-production, it stars Amer Hlehel, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees, and Saja Kilani. The film screened last month at the BFI London and will open the upcoming Doha Film Festival.
Closing the MAD slate is THE SETTLEMENT, a workplace thriller and the only Egyptian film featured in the Perspectives section at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival. Inspired by true events, the film follows two brothers who begin to question the circumstances surrounding their father’s death at the factory where they now work.
A co-production between Egypt, France, Germany, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, the film stars Adham Shukr, Ziad Islam, Hajar Omar, Mohamed Abdel Hady, and Emad Ghoneim. It is shot by Mahmoud Lotfi and edited by Heba Othman (GOODBYE JULIA). THE SETTLEMENT won the Audience Award at the sixth Miworld Young Film Festival and held its Arab World premiere at the El Gouna Film Festival.
The lineup includes Ameer Fakher Eldin’s YUNAN, competing in the Red Sea Competition, and Annemarie Jacir’s PALESTINE 36, featured in the Arab Spectacular Program — both holding their Arab World premieres — alongside Kaouther Ben Hania’s THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB, presented in the Special Screenings, and Mohamed Rashad’s THE SETTLEMENT, showcased in the Festival Favorites Program.
Opening the lineup in the festival's Red Sea competition is YUNAN — a meditative exploration of exile and isolation. On a remote island, Munir seeks solitude to contemplate a final act, only to find solace in the quiet presence of Valeska, whose compassion reignites his fading will to live. A Canadian-German-Italian co-production with contributions from Palestine, Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, the film world premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival and went on to win Best Film and Best Actor at the Rotterdam Arab Film Festival.
Written, directed, and edited by Fakher Eldin, YUNAN stars Georges Khabbaz, Hanna Schygulla, Ali Suliman, Sibel Kekilli, and Tom Wlaschiha, with a stirring score by Canadian Jordanian composer Suad Bushnaq.
PALESTINE 36, Palestine’s official submission for the 98th Academy Awards, revisits the events leading to the Arab Revolt of 1936. The film premiered to sold-out acclaim at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival and is a co-production between Palestine, the UK, France, Denmark, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Its star-studded cast includes Hiam Abbass, Kamel El Basha, Saleh Bakri, Yasmine Al-Massri, Jeremy Irons, Dhafer L’Abidine, Billy Howle, Liam Cunningham, Robert Aramayo, Jalal Altawil, and newcomers Yafa Bakri and Karim Daoud Anay.
THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB, Tunisia’s official submission to the 98th Academy Awards and winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, is a harrowing docu-drama based on the true story of six-year-old Hind Rajab, killed by Israeli forces in Gaza.
The film incorporates real-life voice recordings between Hind and Red Crescent volunteers during her final moments, offering an unflinching portrayal of innocence lost. A Tunisian-French co-production, it stars Amer Hlehel, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees, and Saja Kilani. The film screened last month at the BFI London and will open the upcoming Doha Film Festival.
Closing the MAD slate is THE SETTLEMENT, a workplace thriller and the only Egyptian film featured in the Perspectives section at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival. Inspired by true events, the film follows two brothers who begin to question the circumstances surrounding their father’s death at the factory where they now work.
A co-production between Egypt, France, Germany, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, the film stars Adham Shukr, Ziad Islam, Hajar Omar, Mohamed Abdel Hady, and Emad Ghoneim. It is shot by Mahmoud Lotfi and edited by Heba Othman (GOODBYE JULIA). THE SETTLEMENT won the Audience Award at the sixth Miworld Young Film Festival and held its Arab World premiere at the El Gouna Film Festival.
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