Tunisian Filmmaker Dhafer El Abidine Wins Best Director Award at Manchester Film Festival
The 12th edition of the Manchester Film Festival, held from March 19 to 29, 2026, in the United Kingdom, has awarded Tunisian filmmaker Dhafer El Abidine the prize for Best Director for his family thriller, Sophia.
Film Overview
Filmed in Tunis and London in 2024, the movie explores the tears of exile through the story of a Tunisian father who is deported and whose family tries to find him. A Tunisian-British cast, including Hiba Abouk, Kais Sebti, Jessica Brown Findlay, and Alex MacQueen, brings this cross-cultural narrative to life.
International Recognition
This is the third international distinction for the director, following the FIPRESCI prize in Cairo for Ghodwa (2021) and the award at the Hollywood Arab Film Festival for To My Son (2023).
A Rising Trend
This new achievement is part of a broader trend that cannot be ignored. Tunisians are now shining beyond their borders, from the 7th art to international music scenes, from visual arts to fashion catwalks, not to mention a thriving tech and startup ecosystem that is attracting the attention of investors from around the world. A plural, discreet but tenacious national talent is now imposing itself on all fronts.
