'The Journey' Competes Within Official Competition at Sharm El Sheikh Film Festival

Press release

Published March 4th, 2018 - 08:49 GMT

'The Journey' is directed by Mohamed Al-Daradji, who co-writes and co-produces the film with Isabelle Stead.

Iraqi film The Journey, directed by Mohamed Al-Daradji, will compete within the Official Competition at the 2^nd Sham El Sheikh Film Festival (3-9 March). The film, which is distributed in the Arab world by

MAD Solutions, will be screened on Wednesday, March 7^th, at 6:30 pm in Hall 1 of Kiaroseiz Cinema.

The Journey was released in Iraqi cinemas on March 1^st, as part of a campaign that aims to reach 1 million viewers in an effort to send out a cultural message to the world against extremism and terrorism. The film will be screened at Zayoona Mall, Mansour Mall, Al Nakheel Mall, Times Square Mall, Babylon Mall, Duhok Mall, Empire, Erbil, and Sulaimaniyah Mall.

As Sara stands on the cusp of committing an unthinkable act, an unforeseen and awkward encounter gives her the opportunity to witness the potential consequences of her destructive action. But, is this a second chance or an admission of guilt?

The Journey landed its Arab world premiere at the 14^th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) within the Muhr Feature Competition. The film competed in the official competitions of the BFI London Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival. This March, the film will land its American premiere at the Miami Film Festival.

The Journey is directed by Mohamed Al-Daradji, who co-writes and co-produces the film with Isabelle Stead. The film stars Zahraa Ghandour and Ameer Jbara.

The film is produced by Human Film, Iraqi Independent Film Center (IIFC) in cooperation with Lionceau Films, Iraq Al-Rafidain and Iraqi Media Network. The film received grants from the Doha Film Institute,

AFAC - The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture, World Cinema Fund, the Centre National du Cinéma et de l'image Animée (CNC) of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, Institut Français, Netherlands Film Fund, SANAD Development Fund (Abu Dhabi Film Festival) and Screen Yorkshire. MAD Solutions is handling the distribution of the film in the Arab world.

Background Information

MAD Solutions

MAD Solutions is the first Pan-Arab independent studio and fully integrative marketing and creative consultancy for the Arab film and Entertainment Industry. Under the umbrella of MAD Solutions, the studio is supported by five pillars: MAD Marketing, MAD Content, MAD Distribution, MAD Culture and MAD Celebrity, which together are helping to usher in an exciting new generation of Arab filmmakers and entertainment talent.