MAD World Lands Toronto 2025’s Gaza Feature ‘Thirteen In Gaza’

In a significant move for international independent cinema, MAD World, the sales arm of Cairo-based MAD Solutions, has secured the worldwide distribution rights for the Palestinian drama Thirteen In Gaza. This pivotal acquisition precedes the film’s highly anticipated world premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival’s Centrepiece section, marking a crucial moment for director Hosam Abu Dan’s debut feature and offering a vital voice from a region often unseen on the global stage.

Toronto 2026: A Global Platform for Gaza’s Cinematic Return

The selection of Thirteen In Gaza for its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival underscores the festival’s commitment to showcasing diverse and urgent narratives. This powerful drama is particularly notable as it represents the first fiction feature film to be shot entirely in Gaza in over twelve years, a testament to extraordinary perseverance. Under the challenging conditions of wartime, filmmaker Hosam Abu Dan assembled a dedicated local Palestinian cast and crew, navigating immense obstacles to bring this story to life.

The film’s narrative centers on 13-year-old Raghad and her father, whose lives are irrevocably altered after their home is destroyed in a bombing. Forced into a crowded displacement camp, Raghad confronts the complexities of puberty, profound grief, and the stark loss of privacy. Simultaneously, her father battles to shield her from escalating poverty and hardship, leading him to make difficult moral compromises when he becomes entangled with Khalil, a trader exploiting the wartime economy. The cast features compelling performances from Mary Ziyara, Firas Al-Masri, Ghassan Salem, Abeer Ahmed, and Nawaf Abu Amra.

The production, a collaboration between Palestine and Qatar, was brought to fruition by director Abu Dan for New Scene for Media & Artistic Production, with vital backing from the Doha Film Institute and the Arab Culture Fund (AFAC). Hanna Atallah served as executive producer, while the screenplay was penned by Khalil Al-Muzayyen, with additional contributions from Hussein Al-Dash and Hosam Abu Dan. Yousef Mashharawi provided the cinematography, capturing the raw reality of their environment.

Reflecting on the arduous production, Abu Dan shared, “We made Thirteen In Gaza under some of the harshest conditions imaginable. I will never forget the fourth day of filming, when a bombing took place near our location and one of our colleagues was seriously injured. At that moment, I asked myself how we could continue making a film in a place like this, and how cinema could survive when its cost was so much pain.” His words highlight the profound dedication and sacrifice involved in completing this significant independent film.

MAD World’s Strategic Acquisition and Its Impact on Independent Film Distribution

The acquisition of worldwide sales rights by MAD World, the distribution deal arm of MAD Solutions, is a strategic move that significantly bolsters the film’s international reach. This ensures that Thirteen In Gaza, an independent film of immense cultural and human importance, will find global audiences beyond its festival premiere. For MAD World, adding such a poignant and challenging work to its slate reinforces its mission to champion diverse narratives from the Middle East and North Africa region.

Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab, co-founders of MAD Solutions, articulated the significance of this partnership: “Supporting and amplifying Palestinian filmmakers and their voices is an important part of our work, and we are proud to represent this film internationally. Hosam Abu Dan has crafted a deeply intimate and powerful debut that captures the human consequences of war through a universal story of family, childhood and survival.” Their statement underscores the belief in the film’s universal appeal despite its specific, localized context.

The film’s production under continuous wartime conditions, marked by displacement, restricted movement, frequent electricity interruptions, unstable communications, limited access to equipment, and shortages of essential resources, makes its completion nothing short of miraculous. As Abu Dan states, “Our dream was to see a fiction feature emerge from Gaza once again, after more than 12 years of absence. Today, as the film heads to its world premiere in Toronto and begins its international journey with MAD, I feel that it has become more than a film we made in the midst of war. It is a testament to the resilience of cinema, and to its ability to carry Gaza’s voice from within Gaza to the world.” This sentiment encapsulates the film’s powerful message and its journey from a local struggle to a global platform.

This acquisition and forthcoming premiere at a major film festival like Toronto are more than just business transactions; they represent a critical validation of cinematic perseverance and the power of storytelling from marginalized communities. In an industry often driven by commercial interests, the commitment to distribute an independent film forged under such extreme duress sends a powerful message about the art form’s capacity to bear witness and foster empathy. Such films, while challenging, are vital for global dialogue, providing perspectives that mainstream cinema often overlooks. The international distribution deal for Thirteen In Gaza ensures that its powerful narrative will resonate far beyond the confines of its origin, enriching the global cinematic landscape and offering a unique window into human resilience amidst adversity. It highlights the evolving role of film festivals in identifying and elevating voices that might otherwise remain unheard, connecting them with audiences and industry partners crucial for wider dissemination.

Following its highly anticipated premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, Thirteen In Gaza is poised to embark on a significant festival circuit journey, building on the momentum generated by its powerful debut and MAD World’s robust international sales efforts. Industry watchers will be keenly observing its reception, which could pave the way for further distribution deals in key territories. This pivotal moment not only shines a spotlight on Hosam Abu Dan’s directorial talent but also reinforces MAD World’s integral role in amplifying critical voices from the MENA region, a commitment further evidenced by their sales slate which includes Muayad Alayan’s Conversation With The Sea, also set for its North American premiere at Toronto after debuting in Venice. The success of Thirteen In Gaza will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of filmmakers from challenging environments, affirming cinema’s enduring power as a medium for truth and resilience.