Film adaptation of Maha Gargash’s The Sandfish gets distributors

MAD Solutions will handle the yet-to-be-filmed film to be directed by Saudi Arabian filmmaker and actress Ahd Kamel.

Book cover of The Sandfish by Maha Gargash.

The film adaptation of the Emirati writer Maha Gargash's best­selling book The Sand Fish has secured a distribution deal.

MAD Solutions announced that it will handle the yet-to-be-filmed movie, a coming of age film called Sandfish, which will be directed by the Saudi Arabian filmmaker and actress Ahd Kamel, and co-produced by From A to B producer Paul Baboudjian's new Dubai-based Tharwa Productions and creative producer Alessandra Priante. The screenplay was written by the Oscar-nominated When I Saw You writer/director Annemarie Jacir.

Abdallah Al Shami, GCC managing partner MAD Solutions, says: “MAD’s strategy is to try to work with a pan-Arab mindset with less focus on the country of origin. We also strive to open new channels of distribution for different genres in the film market.”

Kamel said: “I’m very honoured and blessed to collaborate with such great producers who feel very devoted to what they believe in and put so much faith in me to help make their dream come true.”

Sandfish was one of the finalists for IWC Filmmakers Award that was part of this year's 11th edition of Dubai International Film Festival.