Telefilm Canada-backed feature Jude & The Jinn has completed principal photography in Cairo and Toronto, with Alexander Siddig starring for writer-director Rolla Tahir.
Financed by Telefilm’s Talent to Watch programme and the multi-national New Dawn fund, the magic realist tale stars Siddig and newcomer Azza Abbaro in the story of thirty-something Nubian woman Jude, who is stuck in bureaucratic hell after immigrating to Canada. When her father is deported, Jude falls into a depression until she meets and befriends a mysterious jinn. Also starring are Deena Nina, Emmanuel Kabongo and Hudson Wurster.
As well as making her feature directing debut, Tahir produces under her Toronto-based Qan Yama Qan Films banner. Also producing are Magic Carpet Productions’ Mercedes Cardella, Fugee Films’ Ladan M Siad and Juice and Walnuts Films’ Rua Wani. Worldwide rights to the film are still available.
Tahir’s short films include Sira, which screened at the 2018 Toronto festival.
Jude & The Jinn was one of 16 feature projects from emerging filmmakers selected for Telefilm’s Talent to Watch programme for 2022-2023. Each of the features selected received funding of c$250,000 ($183,315 at the current rate).
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