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.
