Official Press Release:

IFC FILMS MAKES TIME FOR “CAIRO TIME” AS COMPANY ACQUIRES U.S. RIGHTS TO ROMANTIC DRAMA STARRING ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE PATRICIA CLARKSON AND ALEXANDER SIDDIG

Acclaimed Film From Ruba Nadda Won “Best Canadian Feature” at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival

Theatrical and VOD Release Set For 2010

New York (NY) (October 21, 2009) – IFC Films, one of the leading American distributors of independent and foreign films, announced today it has acquired U.S. rights to CAIRO TIME, a romantic drama starring Academy Award nominee Patricia Clarkson (Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Pieces of April, Whatever Works) and Alexander Siddig (Kingdom of Heaven, Syriana, “24”). Written and directed by the internationally acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Ruba Nadda, the movie was produced by Daniel Iron of Foundry Films and executive produced by Christine Vachon and Charles Pugliese of Killer Films with David Collins of Samson Films.

CAIRO TIME was featured as a Special Presentation at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival where it garnered the prize for Best Canadian Feature.

IFC Films acquired the rights to CAIRO TIME from E1 Entertainment International, the film's sales agent and U.S. and international rights holder. The deal for CAIRO TIME was negotiated by Lizzie Nastro, IFC Films Director of Acquisitions and Co-Productions, and Victoria Cook from Cinetic on behalf of Charlotte Mickie of E1 Entertainment International.

IFC Films will release CAIRO TIME in 2010 via its IFC in Theaters platform which brings critically-acclaimed independent movies to on-demand viewers at home the same day they premiere in theaters.

CAIRO TIME traces the brief unexpected love affair that blossoms between a married woman visiting Cairo for the first time and her husband’s good friend, his Egyptian former head of security. The Toronto jury described it as “a superbly directed lyrical waltz of longing and desire across disparate worlds, with exquisite performances by Patricia Clarkson, Tom McCamus and Alexander Siddig. The film evocatively serves as an analogy for the intricacies of passionate romance that, for practical reasons, can never be realized.”

“On behalf of the entire cast and crew of CAIRO TIME we are so excited to have IFC Films distributing the film in the U.S. – it really is a dream come true,” said Ruba Nadda. “We thank them for their support and look forward to a wonderful partnership!”

CAIRO TIME marks critically acclaimed actress Patricia Clarkson’s foray as a romantic leading lady. Her innovative work has earned her unparalleled recognition from the independent film community, film critics, and her peers.

Jonathan Sehring, President of IFC Entertainment commented, “"CAIRO TIME is so exquisite in the way its tale of romantic longing unfolds that it recalls one of the classics of the genre, BRIEF ENCOUNTER. Patricia Clarkson gives one of the performances of her career. She has never been as luminous or alive as she is in this film and she's met every step of the way by Alexander Siddig. We think this film is really going to connect with audiences and we couldn't be happier to be in business with our friends at E1, Killer Films, Foundry Films, Samson Films and director Ruba Nadda."

“I am absolutely thrilled that IFC Films will be our distributor” said Charlotte Mickie, Executive Vice-President of E1 Entertainment International “They are our valued partner and have been for some time. They will bring superb marketing skills to the table as well as tremendous expertise in new media.”

About the Filmmaker Ruda Nadda was born in Montreal and studied English at York University and film production at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She made several award-winning short films, including Do Nothing (97), Interstate Love Story (97), So Far Gone (98) Damascus Nights (98), Laila (99), I Would Suffer Cold Hands for You (99), Black September (99) and Aadan (04),before writing and directing the features Sabah (05) and Cairo Time (09).