Latest news with #MajaAjmiaZellama
Broadcast Pro
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
‘Têtes brûlées' continues festival run after Berlinale debut
MAD World oversees the film's international sales, while MAD Distribution manages its distribution across the MENA region. Following its world premiere at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, where it earned two Special Mentions in the Generation 14plus section, Têtes brûlées is set to continue its festival circuit with upcoming screenings at the D'A Barcelona Film Festival. The film's director, Maja Ajmia Zellama, will participate in Q&A sessions after the screenings on March 28 at 5:15 PM and March 29 at 7:35 PM at Aribau 4, offering audiences deeper insight into her creative process and storytelling approach. A Belgian production infused with Tunisian influences, Têtes brûlées is a coming-of-age drama centred on 12-year-old Eya, who struggles to cope with the sudden loss of her older brother Younès. Bound by an unbreakable connection, Eya finds herself navigating a structured and emotional grieving process, leaning on her creativity, resilience, and Younès' close friends to make sense of her loss and move forward. At Berlinale, the film was recognised with two Special Mentions—one from the official Generation 14plus jury and another from the Independent Jury of the AG Kino – Gilde – Cinema Vision 14plus. These accolades further solidified its status as one of the festival's standout films. The Generation 14plus jury praised Têtes brûlées as 'a remarkable debut that provides a rare glimpse into a world of solidarity and love through the eyes of a young girl. With visually fresh imagery and heartfelt storytelling, it captures the complexity of grief and its transformative power. A bold yet delicate film, it highlights the strength found in unity during difficult times.' The film has also garnered critical acclaim, with Aurore Engelen of Cineuropa describing it as 'a film of few words but many gestures—hands reaching out, arms embracing and consoling.' She commended Zellama's sensitive direction, noting her ability to 'capture both the strength and fragility of these moments.' Written and directed by Belgian-Tunisian-Danish filmmaker Maja Ajmia Zellama, Têtes brûlées is produced by Komoko, with co-productions by Quetzalcoatl and 1080 Films. Zellama, a graduate of the LUCA School of Arts, is also the co-founder and president of ASBL Bledarte, a Brussels-based organisation dedicated to empowering immigrant youth through art and culture. The film's production team includes producers Marc Goyens and Nabil Ben Yadir, cinematographer Grimm Vandekerckhove, editor Dieter Diependaele, production designer Eve Martin, casting director Marie McCourt, and sound designer David Vranken. Têtes brûlées is represented for international sales by MAD World, while MAD Distribution is overseeing its release across the MENA region. The film features Safa Gharbaoui, Mehdi Bouziane, Mounir Amamra (DIVINES), Adnane El Haruati, Saber Tabi, Nicolas Makola, Mehdi Zellama and Monia Taieb.
Broadcast Pro
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Broadcast Pro
Maja Ajmia Zellama's Têtes brûlées to premiere at Berlinale 2025
MAD World oversees the film's international sales, while MAD Distribution manages its distribution across the MENA region. Maja Ajmia Zellama's debut narrative feature, Têtes brûlées , an exploration of loss and grief, is set for multiple screenings at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival as part of its Generation 14plus Programme. The film will first have a limited market screening on February 15 at 12:25 PM at DFFB – Kino (Sony Center, 9th Floor) before making its world premiere on February 17 at 7:15 PM at HKW 1 – Miriam Makeba Auditorium. The film will continue its run with four additional screenings: on February 18 at 7:15 PM at Cubix 6, followed by a morning screening on February 20 at 10:00 AM at Zoo Palast 2. It will then be shown on February 21 at 9:30 AM at Stage Bluemax Theater before concluding its Berlinale screenings on February 23 at 4:15 PM at Cubix 6. A Belgian production with Tunisian influences, Têtes brûlées is a coming-of-age drama that follows 12-year-old Eya as she copes with the sudden loss of her older brother, Younès, with whom she shared an inseparable bond. Navigating an intense grieving process, she turns to her creativity, resilience and Younès' friends for support, ultimately finding her own path to healing and adulthood. Written and directed by Belgian-Tunisian-Danish filmmaker Maja Ajmia Zellama, Têtes brûlées is produced by Komoko, with Quetzalcoatl and 1080 Films as co-producers. Zellama, a LUCA School of Arts graduate, is also the co-founder and president of ASBL Bledarte, a Brussels-based association that empowers immigrant youth through art and culture. The film is produced by Marc Goyens and Nabil Ben Yadir, with cinematography by Grimm Vandekerckhove, editing by Dieter Diependaele and sound design by David Vranken. Eve Martin serves as the production designer, while Marie McCourt handles casting. International sales are managed by MAD World, with MAD Distribution overseeing its MENA-wide release. The cast includes Safa Gharbaoui, Mehdi Bouziane, Mounir Amamra ( Divines ), Adnane El Haruati, Saber Tabi, Nicolas Makola, Mehdi Zellama and Monia Taieb.
