Together, the three releases highlight the growing international profile of Tunisian cinema, offering Egyptian audiences a diverse selection of stories shaped by regional voices and global acclaim.
A trio of acclaimed Tunisian films is preparing to arrive in Egyptian cinemas this January, bringing a mix of drama, coming-of-age storytelling, and comedy to local audiences. Distributed by MAD Solutions, Where the Wind Comes From will open on January 21, followed by Promised Sky on January 24 and Têtes Brûlées on January 26.
Directed by Erige Sehiri, Promised Sky is a France–Tunisia–Qatar co-production featuring Aïssa Maïga, Laetitia Ky, Deborah Naney and Mohamed Grayaa. The film centers on Marie, Naney and Jolie, three women sharing a home in Tunisia who take in Kenza, a survivor of a shipwreck. As they form an unconventional family, a series of challenges pushes each of them to confront personal questions of belonging and identity. The film debuted as the opening title of Un Certain Regard at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and went on to secure three major awards at the Festival du Film Francophone d’Angoulême. Its international festival run has included stops in Valencia, where it won Best Screenplay, and the MedFilm Festival, where it received both the Piuculture Award and the Ecumenical Award for Best Film.
Maja Ajmia Yde Zellama’s Têtes Brûlées first premiered at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival in the Generation 14plus section, earning two Special Mentions for its emotional depth and distinctive voice. Since then, the film has screened at festivals across Sydney, Barcelona and the Amman International Film Festival, where it marked its MENA premiere. A Belgian production infused with Tunisian sensibilities, the coming-of-age drama follows 12-year-old Eya as she struggles to cope with the sudden death of her older brother Younès. Navigating an intense grieving process, she leans on her imagination, inner strength, and the support of her brother’s friends to find her way forward. The cast includes Safa Gharbaoui, Mehdi Bouziane, Mounir Amamra, Adnane El Haruati, Saber Tabi, Nicolas Makola, Mehdi Zellama and Monia Taieb.
Completing the lineup is Where the Wind Comes From, a comedy directed by Amel Guellaty and co-produced by France, Tunisia and Qatar. The film stars Slim Baccar, Eya Bellagha, Sondos Belhassen and Lobna Noomane, and follows 19-year-old Alyssa and 23-year-old Mehdi as they dream of escaping their everyday lives. When they discover a competition that offers a chance at a different future, the pair set off on a road trip across southern Tunisia, confronting a series of obstacles along the way. After premiering to strong reception at the Sundance Film Festival, the film went on to screen at Rotterdam and Istanbul, earning widespread praise. It also claimed the Golden Bee for Best Film and Best Performance for Eya Bellagha at the Malta Mediterranean Film Festival, along with Best Narrative Feature at the Toronto Arab Film Festival.
