MAD Solutions to feature 3 films at 2024 Aswan Int’l Women’s Festival

Three titles from MAD Solutions’ distribution slate are set to feature at the 2024 Aswan International Women’s Film Festival, scheduled to take place from April 20th to the 25th.

The Middle Eastern distribution giant’s lineup includes three short films: Suad Gara’s QARAGH, which will compete in the festival’s short film competition, along with Nidhal Guiga’s ASTRA and Hiba Dhaouadi’s UNKNOWN NUMBER, both of which will be featured in the festival’s Tunisian Film Program marking UNKNOWN NUMBER’s world premiere.

First up in the MAD lineup is Nidhal Guiga’s ASTRA, which will be screened on April 22nd at 11:30 am at Tolip Hotel’s Akhenaten Hall.

Directed and written by Nidhal Guiga, ASTRA follows the life of Dali as he navigates the complexities of caring for his daughter Douja, who has down syndrome. Against his wife’s counsel, Dali decides to take Douja to the enigmatic amusement park known as Astra. However, their visit unveils a surreal world unlike anything they’ve encountered before.

Next up is Hiba Dhaouadi’s UNKNOWN NUMBER, The film is expected to premiere on the same day, April 22nd at 11:30 am at Tolip Hotel’s Akhenaten Hall.

Directed and written by Hiba Dhaouadi, the Tunisian thriller follows Yahya who receives an unexpected delivery: A mysterious box and a phone meant for another. However, fate intervenes as Yahya finds himself drawn into a high-stakes game, playing on behalf of the intended recipient to secure their salvation.

MAD’s final entry in the festival is Suad Gara’s QARAGH, which delves into the profound story of an ex-soldier suffering from PTSD who decides to visit his mother in his remote home village to find some peace of mind.

There, he participates in a mystical spring cleansing ritual set around a temple inside a 13th-century cemetery in the middle of the forest, where he encounters a mysterious little girl. This innocent alter-ego brings him face to face with his inner demons and sets him on a difficult path to acceptance and redemption.

QARAGH is scheduled to screen on April 24th at 5 pm at Tolip Hotel’s Akhenaten Hall.