Before his sky-rocketing breakthrough in the Arab World, L\'Abidine enjoyed a successful career in international productions, such as SEX AND THE CITY 2, BLACK FOREST, THE LOOMING TOWER, and THE EDDY. In 2021, Dhafer founded his production company, Double A Productions, and moved behind the camera to direct his first feature film, GHODWA, which won the FIPRESCI prize at the 43rd CIFF and earned him Best Actor at the Arab Film Festival Rotterdam. The third edition of the RSIFF witnessed the premiere of two of Dhafer’s films: His Saudi-set feature TO MY SON, in which he starred, wrote, directed, and co-produced with MBC Studios; and the remake of the 1973 classic film A NOSE AND THREE EYES. He’s the first Arab actor to be named brand ambassador of Cartier, an association arranged by MAD Celebrity in collaboration with the French luxury brand.
SOPHIA: Dhafer’s third feature as a director and writer, starring an international cast, including DOWNTON ABBEY’s Jessica Brown Findlay, premiered at the 2025 Marrakech International Film Festival and then went to Manchester, where he won Best Director.
Artistic and Commercial Success: L’Abidine showcased his dramatic range in Annemarie Jacir’s historical feature PALESTINE 36. He also achieved massive commercial success starring in Tarek Alarian\'s record-breaking sequel, SNAKES AND LADDERS: CHILD\'S PLAY.
