New Arab Cinema Focused Int’l Sales Company MAD World Unveils Inaugural Slate Ahead Of Cannes Launch
deadline.comTop Middle East and North African independent distributor and talent agency MAD Solutions is adding a new string to its bow with the launch of Arab cinema-focused international sales company MAD World.
The Dubai-based company will make its market debut in Cannes. Titles on its packed inaugural slate include French-Egyptian-Palestinian director Rani Massalha’s The Return of the Prodigal Son and Palestinian filmmaker Laila Abbas’s Thank You For Banking With Us. (scroll down for full line-up).
MAD World will be spearheaded by MAD Solutions co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, as well as third Managing Partner, Colin Brown, who will all assume Co-President titles. “Until now, Arab filmmakers have been at the mercy of an international sales ecosystem with preconceived notions about what Arab cinema should be in order to travel,” commented Brown. “We intend to challenge those limitations, exploring all manner of distribution options around the world, even unconventional ones, in order to expand the global audience for a wider range of Arab storytellers.” The trio will be joined by two European executives experienced in the international licensing arena.
Edin De Liancourt, whose experience includes stints at Allrites, Film Seekers and Goodfellas, has been hired as VP Sales and Acquisitions.
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