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MAD Solutions Acquires MENA Rights to South African Feature LAUNDRY (Uhlanjululo)
21 May 2026
Cairo-based MAD Solutions has acquired all Middle East and North African rights to the South African feature LAUNDRY (Uhlanjululo), written and directed by Zamo Mkhwanazi. The deal was negotiated by Alaa Karkouti on behalf of MAD Solutions and Francesca Manno for Rome-based Summerside Media, who handles international sales of the film.
The acquisition marks a milestone for MAD Solutions, widely recognized as the world’s leading distributor of Arab cinema, and represents the first time the company has acquired a non-Arab title for theatrical release across the MENA region.
Set in apartheid-era South Africa, LAUNDRY is an intimate portrait of family, resistance, and artistic ambition. The film has drawn attention for its emotional storytelling, striking cinematography, and evocative soundtrack, combining to create a cinematic experience of unusual depth and resonance.
“We have been following this film since its world premiere in Toronto and its subsequent success on the international festival circuit,” said Alaa Karkouti of MAD Solutions. “We recognized its potential to connect with audiences across the MENA region. This is a new step for us, and we believe LAUNDRY is the right film to help expand our reach beyond the Arab world and, we hope, serve as the first step toward building a stronger pipeline for pan-African cinema.”
“LAUNDRY marks a powerful new chapter for African cinema, and Zamo Mkhwanazi is a bold new voice with a universal story to tell,” said Francesca Manno. “We are thrilled to have MAD Solutions come aboard. Their understanding of and enthusiasm for the film give us great confidence as LAUNDRY begins this historic journey to audiences across the MENA region.”
LAUNDRY, written and directed by Zamo Mkhwanazi, is a Switzerland–South Africa co-production from Akka Films and Kude Media, produced in association with RTS – Radio Télévision Suisse and Mojo Entertainment. Producers include Philippe Coeytaux, Zamo Mkhwanazi, Jim Stark, and Nicolas Wadimoff, with Marco Orsini serving as co-producer.
About MAD Solutions
Headquartered in Cairo, MAD Solutions is the Arab world's first independent entertainment studio. Comprised of five subsidiaries, MAD is home to the world’s leading distributor of Arab films; the world’s largest promotional agency and management company for Arab creative talent; the Arab world’s first dedicated international film sales company; as well as a fully integrated marketing and creative consultancy.
Boasting a rights library of more than 1,000 feature films, documentaries, and shorts, MAD is prolific in the financing, production, packaging, marketing, and releasing of Arab entertainment content that spans the gamut from festival prize-winners to commercial blockbusters.
The acquisition marks a milestone for MAD Solutions, widely recognized as the world’s leading distributor of Arab cinema, and represents the first time the company has acquired a non-Arab title for theatrical release across the MENA region.
Set in apartheid-era South Africa, LAUNDRY is an intimate portrait of family, resistance, and artistic ambition. The film has drawn attention for its emotional storytelling, striking cinematography, and evocative soundtrack, combining to create a cinematic experience of unusual depth and resonance.
“We have been following this film since its world premiere in Toronto and its subsequent success on the international festival circuit,” said Alaa Karkouti of MAD Solutions. “We recognized its potential to connect with audiences across the MENA region. This is a new step for us, and we believe LAUNDRY is the right film to help expand our reach beyond the Arab world and, we hope, serve as the first step toward building a stronger pipeline for pan-African cinema.”
“LAUNDRY marks a powerful new chapter for African cinema, and Zamo Mkhwanazi is a bold new voice with a universal story to tell,” said Francesca Manno. “We are thrilled to have MAD Solutions come aboard. Their understanding of and enthusiasm for the film give us great confidence as LAUNDRY begins this historic journey to audiences across the MENA region.”
LAUNDRY, written and directed by Zamo Mkhwanazi, is a Switzerland–South Africa co-production from Akka Films and Kude Media, produced in association with RTS – Radio Télévision Suisse and Mojo Entertainment. Producers include Philippe Coeytaux, Zamo Mkhwanazi, Jim Stark, and Nicolas Wadimoff, with Marco Orsini serving as co-producer.
About MAD Solutions
Headquartered in Cairo, MAD Solutions is the Arab world's first independent entertainment studio. Comprised of five subsidiaries, MAD is home to the world’s leading distributor of Arab films; the world’s largest promotional agency and management company for Arab creative talent; the Arab world’s first dedicated international film sales company; as well as a fully integrated marketing and creative consultancy.
Boasting a rights library of more than 1,000 feature films, documentaries, and shorts, MAD is prolific in the financing, production, packaging, marketing, and releasing of Arab entertainment content that spans the gamut from festival prize-winners to commercial blockbusters.
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