Khaberni - Tunisian artist Dhafer L'Abidine achieved a new milestone in his artistic career by winning the Best Director award at the Manchester Film Festival for his movie “Sofia,” which received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike.
Details of Dhafer L'Abidine's award-winning
This award marks a new milestone added to the film's series of successes since its debut at international festivals. It garnered significant attention from its first participation in North America at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival before being shown globally for the first time at the Marrakech International Film Festival, thereby establishing its presence on the global cinematic scene.
The story of the film "Sofia"
"Sofia" unfolds in an engaging drama where "Emily" travels from London to Tunisia to help her daughter "Sofia" mend her relationship with her husband "Hisham" after a period of separation. However, the trip, which was supposed to be a family reunion opportunity, turns into a nightmare when "Sofia" mysteriously disappears.
As the events escalate, a series of secrets and lies within the family circle are revealed, threatening its stability and putting "Emily" in a race against time to find her daughter amid an atmosphere of tension and anxiety, with fear and doubt intertwining in a world that seems to be collapsing around her.
Dhafer L'Abidine authored and directed the film, and stars alongside Jessica Brown Findlay, Jonathan Hyde, Qais Al-Subaihi, Heba Abouk, Ziad Ayadi, and Suad Ben Slimane, giving the work a diverse international flair.
On the production level, the film was produced in collaboration with producer Christopher Simon through the companies Double A Productions and New Sparta Productions, while cinematographer Willie Neil took charge of filming with a distinctive visual style, Hafez Al-Aridi supervised the editing, and Salem Arjoon provided the film score, enhancing the dramatic atmosphere, while Daniel Bodsworth handled sound design.
Regarding film distribution, MAD Distribution is responsible for releasing it in the Arabic-speaking world, while MAD World handles its distribution in global markets, aiming to expand its reach and attract a wider audience.
Dhafer L'Abidine's third directorial venture
The film "Sofia" is not Dhafer L'Abidine’s first directorial endeavor, as he had previously ventured into directing in 2021 with the film "Ghodwa," which he wrote, directed, starred in, and produced through his own company. This film was a great success, nominated for international awards including the Golden Globes, and won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cairo International Film Festival.
In 2022, L'Abidine continued his directing career with the film "To My Son," which also achieved a significant presence, winning Best Film and receiving a special mention for the scenario at the Hollywood Arabic Film Festival, solidifying his status as a director capable of delivering high artistic value cinematic works.
Dhafer L'Abidine’s success as an actor
Simultaneously with his success in directing, Dhafer L'Abidine continues his notable presence as an actor, being one of the prominent Arab names successful in combining cinema and drama, in both the Arab world and the British scene, thanks to his versatile roles and performances.
L'Abidine is expected to soon grace his audience through the drama series "Mumkin," co-starring Lebanese superstar Nadine Nassib Njeim, a romantic drama imbued with mystery and suspense. Initially scheduled to premiere during the Ramadan season of 2026, its release has been postponed to a later date while continuing its promotional campaign in preparation for its launch.
