Oscars: Saudi Arabia Picks Shahad Ameen’s ‘Hijra’ for International Feature Race

Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen’s road movie “Hijra,” centered on the bond formed between different generations of Saudi women during a journey across the desert, has been selected as Saudi Arabia’s candidate for the Oscar in the international feature film category.

“Hijra” is the second feature from Ameen whose first work, feminist fable “Scales,” was Saudi’s Oscar candidate in 2020.

Shot in a vast swathe of desert and in several Saudi cities and urban areas including Jeddah, Medina, AlUla and Neom, “Hijra” premiered positively in September in the Venice Film Festival’s Spotlight section.

The film centers on 12-year-old Janna, who embarks on a journey toward Mecca to perform Hajj – the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca – with her strict grandmother Sitti and rebellious 18-year-old sister Sarah. But before they reach their destination, Sarah disappears, forcing Janna and Sitti into a tense and urgent search.

“Hijra” features an all-Saudi cast, comprising Khairia Nathmy as Sitti, Nawaf Al-Dhafiri, nd newcomer Lamar Fadan in the lead role of Janna, with Baraa Alem making a special guest appearance.

“Representing my country at the Oscars for a second time is a profound honor and a reflection of the positive transformation in Saudi cinema,” Ameen said in a statement. “Hijra” was one of the most challenging projects of my career. We filmed in remote regions because we believed in the urgency of this story a tale of Saudi women across generations, told from the heart of our history to the world,” she added.

“Hijra” is a co-production between Saudi Arabia’s Film AlUla film commission, the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation, Beit Ameen Production, the Iraqi Independent Film Centre and Ideation Studios.

The film is lead produced by Faisal Baltyour, alongside co-producers Ayman Jamal, Mohamed Alawi and Egypt’s Mohamed Hefzy through his Film Clinic shingle. Also on board as production partners are Human Film’s Ali Al-Daradji, Three Arts’ Abboud Ayyash and Sayed Abou Haidar.

Baltyour’s CineWaves will handle distribution in Saudi Arabia, with Film Clinic Indie Distribution handling distribution rights across the Arab world. International sales on “Hijra” are being managed by the Iraqi Independent Film Centre.

AMPAS will unveil the 15 films shortlisted in the international feature film category on Dec. 16.