Following its international festival journey, Dhafer L’Abidine’s gripping family thriller SOPHIA is set to hit cinemas across Egypt on Wednesday, November 25, with MAD Distribution handling the film’s distribution in Egypt and North Africa.
 
The Egyptian theatrical release follows the film’s international festival run, which began with its world premiere at the Marrakech International Film Festival, followed by its US premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and a screening at the Manchester Film Festival in the United Kingdom.
 
A Tunisian-British co-production, SOPHIA blends suspense, mystery, and family drama in an emotionally charged story exploring fractured relationships, buried secrets, and the extraordinary lengths a mother will go to protect her daughter.
 
Against the wishes of her father, Emily travels from London to Tunisia in the hopes of reconnecting her daughter, Sophia, with her estranged husband. When Sophia suddenly disappears, secrets unravel and trust fractures, pulling the family into a desperate race against time. As lies close in, Emily must confront the devastating cost of truth — and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child.
 
Written, directed, produced by, and starring Dhafer L’Abidine, SOPHIA features an international ensemble cast including Jessica Brown Findlay, Jonathan Hyde, Kais Setti, Hiba Abouk, Ziad Ayadi, and Souad Ben Slimane.
 
A co-production between Double A Productions and New Sparta Productions, the film features cinematography by Willie Nel (MEERKAT MAANTUIG, THE MAURITANIAN), editing by Hafedh Laaridhi (THE VILE, GHODWA), production design by Adel Ouni (CHILD OF THE SUN), sound by Moncef Taleb (TLAMESS), and an original score composed by Selim Arjoun (SWIM 62). MAD Distribution handles distribution in Egypt and North Africa.
 
Dhafer L’Abidine is a Tunisian actor, writer, and director whose career spans British television, international cinema, and major productions across the Arab world. A graduate of the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama, he began his screen career in the UK with series such as DREAM TEAM and SPOOKS, later appearing in films including CHILDREN OF MEN and SEX AND THE CITY 2, as well as television series THE LOOMING TOWER and THE EDDY. He has since become a prominent figure in Arab television through acclaimed series such as MAKTOUB, HALAWAT EL DONIA, and AROUS BEIRUT.
 
Behind the camera, L’Abidine made his feature directorial debut with GHODWA in 2021, which won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cairo International Film Festival and was shortlisted for the Golden Globe Awards. His second feature, TO MY SON, received Best Film and a Special Mention for Screenwriting at the Hollywood Arab Film Festival.
 
With SOPHIA, L’Abidine continues to establish his distinctive directorial voice, delivering a suspenseful and emotionally driven cinematic experience while further expanding his career across Arab and international cinema.