Cairo-Based MAD Solutions Takes Stake in New York’s D-Street Releasing
variety.comNick Vivarelli International CorrespondentCairo-based film marketing and distribution outfit MAD Solutions has taken an equity ownership stake in New York’s revived arthouse distributor D Street Releasing.The partnership will extend the reach of MAD Solutions’ theatrical distribution operations, giving it an inroad into the U.S.
arthouse sector where so far Arab cinema has been largely reliant on festival exposure.MAD Solutions, which is a top distributor of specialty Arab cinema across the West Asia region, now plans to release between five and seven standout titles from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other Arabic-speaking countries to North American audiences.D Street Releasing, which has been largely dormant in recent years, is a division of D Street Media Group, the New York-based production, distribution and music publishing company with affiliate operations in the U.S., Germany, Ecuador, Argentina and South Africa.
MAD co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab met D Street’s founding CEO Dexter Davis and partner Silvana Santamaria at last year’s inaugural Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and started talks that led to the deal for them to take an unspecified stake in D Street Releasing.“After taking a break from the theatrical distribution business, I’m extremely excited about this reboot with visionary partners Alaa and Maher, who both bring with them a wealth of regional experience, creative connections and marketing knowledge to the company,” Davis said in a statement.“This historic partnership will give U.S.
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