sophia heads to santa barbara for its u.s. premiere with two screenings

Dhafer L’Abidine’s gripping family thriller SOPHIA continues its international festival journey with its U.S. premiere with official screenings at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, one of North America’s leading film events renowned for spotlighting bold independent voices and celebrating global storytelling. As part of the festival’s carefully curated program, SOPHIA will screen twice in Santa Barbara, first on February 5 at 12:00 PM at Film Center 4, followed by a second screening on February 7 at 8:20 PM at Film Center 2, offering festival audiences two opportunities to experience the film’s emotionally charged narrative on the big screen.

Against the wishes of her father, Emily travels from London to Tunisia in the hopes of reconnecting her daughter, Sophia, with her estranged husband. The unthinkable happens when Sophia disappears, and lies and deceit quickly ensnare the broken family. Emily’s world is flipped upside down as she races against time to find her daughter.

A co-production between L’Abidine’s Double A Productions and New Sparta Productions, SOPHIA is written, directed, and produced by Dhafer L’Abidine. The film’s cinematography is by Willie Nel (MEERKAT MAANTUIG, THE MAURITANIAN), with editing by Hafedh Laaridhi (THE VILE, GHODWA), production design by Adel Ouni (CHILD OF THE SUN), sound by Moncef Taleb (TLAMESS), and music composed by Selim Arjoun (SWIM 62).

MAD World is handling worldwide sales for SOPHIA, reinforcing its commitment to championing ambitious, high-quality films from the region and connecting them with audiences across global markets.

Reflecting on the project, Dhafer L’Abidine said: “SOPHIA is a thriller with a heart. I wanted to tell a human story that transcends geography and nationality, one that speaks to audiences everywhere. I’m thrilled to have it screened at the Marrakech International Film Festival, a platform that celebrates exceptional filmmaking and stories that resonate worldwide.”

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 journey in the UK with shows such as DREAM TEAM and SPOOKS. He went on to appear in high-profile films like CHILDREN OF MEN and SEX AND THE CITY 2, and on TV series including THE LOOMING TOWER and THE EDDY. In the Arab region, he became a household name through serials such as MAKTOUB, HALAWAT EL DONIA, and AROUS BEIRUT, showcasing his versatility in drama, action, and romance.

Behind the camera, L’Abidine made his feature debut with GHODWA, which he co-wrote, directed, starred in, and produced through Double A Productions. The film was shortlisted for the Golden Globe Awards and won the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cairo International Film Festival. His second feature, TO MY SON, earned Best Film and a Special Mention for Screenwriting at the Hollywood Arab Film Festival, solidifying his reputation as a multifaceted storyteller on both regional and international stages.