BAFTA-winning Producer Michael Jackman joins MANSOUR

France tv distribution is delighted to announce that Michael Jackman, acclaimed producer of CONCLAVE—winner of both the BAFTA Best Film Award and the BAFTA Best British Film Award 2025, and Best Picture nominee at the Academy Awards 2025—has joined the production team of MANSOUR as producer alongside Dawn McDaniel and Romuald Boulanger.

The film is directed by Romuald Boulanger (ON THE LINE starring Mel Gibson), written by Dawn McDaniel (EXCELLENCE PARK, MOLL FLANDERS), (co-writer Philippe de Lyon), produced by R-Lines Productions (ON THE LINE, LIKE ME, HATERS) and Unconditional Pictures, and will star Amir Jadidi (A HERO, COLD SWEAT, VALLEY OF STARS).

Michael Jackman brings 40 years of experience across all aspects of motion pictures, from development and production to post-production and global distribution. Throughout his distinguished career, he has worked with renowned directors such as Martin Scorsese (GANGS OF NEW YORK, THE AVIATOR), Michel Gondry (ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND), and Oliver Stone (ANY GIVEN SUNDAY), and has produced international hits including ARRIVAL and THE GOOD NURSE. Michael is the Executive Producer of the soon to be released I LOVE BOOSTERS directed by Boots Riley starring Demi Moore, Keke Palmer and Don Cheadle and he is currently in Italy shooting THREE INCESTUOUS SISTERS starring Oscar winner Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson, Saoirse Ronan, and Josh O’Connor, directed by Alice Rohrwacher.

Michael Jackman, Producer:

"I’m thrilled to be joining MANSOUR. Besides being a fan of the man himself since I was a child, the script by Dawn McDaniel is inspiring and entertaining. Biopic’s can sometimes feel stuck in time but because of both the quality of the writing and the story's topical nature, MANSOUR feels current and relevant and our Director Romuald brings a clear point of view. I believe Amir Jadidi was born to play this role, an absolutely wonderful and acclaimed, Iranian actor and a semi-pro tennis player, how much more perfect can he be? Dawn and Romuald bring great creative and production leadership with a strong foundation for an exciting motion picture. I’m grateful to be on the team!”

France tv distribution is also pleased to announce that Constance Demontoy has joined the project as Casting Director. Constance Demontoy is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning French Casting Director who has worked with directors such as Denis Villeneuve, Jean-Marc Vallée, Cédric Klapisch and Paul Verhoeven (ELLE). Amongst many more, recent movie credits include TITANE (Palme d'Or Winner 2021), ANNETTE, STILLWATER and the forthcoming CALL MY AGENT (Camille Cottin, George Clooney) and FANTOMAS (Guillaume Canet). Constance is the French Casting Director for the highly anticipated season 4 of THE WHITE LOTUS (Dir. Mike White, HBO), currently shooting in France, starring Vincent Cassel, Laura Dern and Steve Coogan.

France tv distribution is also excited to announce that Alambic Production (Winner Academy Awards 2026, César Awards 2026 - TWO PEOPLE EXCHANGING SALIVA), led by Taha and Zar Amir Ebrahimi (HOLY SPIDER - Best Actress Cannes, TATAMI - Co-Director, IN THE LAND OF ARTO), have joined the team of MANSOUR as an associate production partner, further enriching the film’s international collaboration.

Julia Schulte (SVP International Sales at France tv distribution):

"We are delighted to embark on Mansour, a project filled with positive energy and strong international appeal. Mansour’s extraordinary journey — from a basement in Tehran to the final of Roland Garros — is a powerful and uplifting story of resilience, determination, and hope. We believe Mansour has all the ingredients to resonate with audiences worldwide."

Synopsis

In the bustling streets of 1950s Tehran, young Mansour Bahrami emerges into a world where his love of tennis came up against his family's financial difficulties.

At just six years old, forbidden by the authorities to set foot on a court, he ingeniously crafts his own at the bottom of an empty swimming pool, using a frying pan as his racket.

But Mansour's journey takes a dramatic turn after the Iranian Revolution, propelling him to flee his beloved family for the freedom of Paris. 

Mansour finds himself stateless, penniless and homeless. Wandering the streets of Paris by night and sleeping in the locker room of Roland Garros during the day. But he never loses hope. Through sheer determination and quick wit, he navigates the complexities of life as an illegal immigrant, while forming lasting bonds with tennis icons who recognize his undeniable talent.

Mansour defied all odds as he fulfills his childhood dream of playing at Roland Garros. With his unique entertaining style of play, Mansour has captured the hearts of multi-generations of fans all over the world, transforming from a boy with a broken racket to a true tennis legend.

MANSOUR

Cast: Amir Jadidi

Directed by Romuald Boulanger

Writer: Dawn McDaniel

Co-Writer: Philippe de Lyon 

Casting Director: Constance Demontoy

Producers: Romuald Boulanger (R-Lines Productions), Dawn McDaniel (Unconditional Pictures) and Michael Jackman

In Association with Alambic Production

International Sales: France tv distribution

Photos credits: 

Romuald Boulanger: © R-Lines - Remy Tortosa

Amir Jadidi: © Amirhosein Shojaei

About France tv distribution

France tv distribution works with producers and licensors to maximise revenues from their programmes accross all media platforms encompassing video, VOD and music publishing, merchandising, magazine and book publishing, plus French and international distribution and fund-raising.

Since January 2017, France tv distribution has gone hand in hand with distribution films abroad. As a major player on the distribution of rights in France and in foreign markets, this new activity of trading feature films is added to its savoir-faire.