Hijra (film)
| Hijra | |
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International promotional poster | |
| Arabic | هجری |
| Directed by | Shahad Ameen |
| Written by | Shahad Ameen |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Miguel I. Littin-Menz |
| Edited by |
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| Music by | Armand Amar |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Film Clinic Indie Distribution |
Release date |
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Running time | 115 minutes |
| Countries |
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Hijra (Arabic: هجری) is a 2025 adventure drama film written and directed by Shahad Ameen. It follows Saudi grandmother Sitti (Khayriya Nazmi) traveling from Taif to Mecca to perform Hajj with her two granddaughters Janna (Lamar Faden) and Sarah. When suddenly the eldest Sarah goes missing, she travels from southern Saudi Arabia to its northern borders in search of her.[1]
The film had its world premiere in the Venice Spotlight section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on 28 August 2025.[2][3] It was selected as the Saudi Arabian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.[4][5]
Cast
- Lamar Faden as Janna
- Khayriya Nazmi as Sitti
- Nawaf Al Dhufairi as Ahmed
Production
The film was developed over three years by the director Shahad Ameen with Iraqi filmmaker Mohamed Al-Daradji, who is one of the producers. The film was shot in a large desert and in many Saudi Arabian cities and urban areas including Jeddah, Medina, AlUla and Neom in 2024.[1]
Release
Hijra had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival at the Venice Spotlight section.[6] It competed in Stockholm Competition section of the 2025 Stockholm International Film Festival on 6 November 2025 vying for the Bronze Horse.[7]
It competed in the Red Sea: Competition strand at the Red Sea International Film Festival and had screening on 6 December 2025.[8][9]
The film will compete in the Awards Buzz – Best International Feature Film section of the 37th Palm Springs International Film Festival and have its North American Premiere on 2 January 2026.[10]
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has North American sales rights of the film, acquired in May 2024.[1]
Accolades
| Award | Date | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venice International Film Festival | 6 September 2025 | Audience Award (Venice Spotlight) | Hijra | Nominated | [11] |
| NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film | Won | [12] | |||
| Stockholm International Film Festival | 16 November 2025 | Bronze Horse | Nominated | [13] | |
| Asia Pacific Screen Awards | 27 November 2025 | Best Performance | Khayriya Nazmi | Nominated | [14] |
| Red Sea International Film Festival | 13 December 2025 | Yusr Jury Prize | Hijra | Won | [15] |
| AlUla Audience Award | Won |
See also
- List of submissions to the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film
- List of Saudi Arabian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
References
- ^ a b c Vivarelli, Nick (14 May 2024). "Saudi Director Shahad Ameen Shooting Female Empowerment Road Movie 'Hijra' With CAA Handling U.S. Sales (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ Shafer, Nick Vivarelli,Ellise (22 July 2025). "Venice Film Festival Lineup: Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein,' Yorgos Lanthimos' 'Bugonia' With Emma Stone, Benny Safdie's 'Smashing Machine,' Luca Guadagnino's 'After the Hunt' and More". Variety. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Biennale Cinema 2025 | Hijra". La Biennale di Venezia. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (14 October 2025). "Oscars: Saudi Arabia Selects 'Hijra' As 2026 Best International Feature Film Entry". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ "Saudi film 'Hijra' to represent Kingdom at Oscars". Arab News. 13 October 2025. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ Dalton, Ben; Parfitt, Orlando (22 July 2025). "Venice Film Festival unveils 2025 lineup". Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ "Hijra". Stockholm International Film Festival. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ "Hijra". Red Sea International Film Festival. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ Salwa, Ola (6 November 2025). "The fifth Red Sea International Film Festival announces its full line-up". Cineuropa. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Hijra". Palm Springs International Film Festival. 3 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ "Biennale Cinema 2025 | Venezia Spotlight". La Biennale di Venezia. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ "Saudi Film Hijra Wins NETPAC Award at Venice Film Festival". Middle East Monitor. 8 September 2025. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ "Stockholm Competition". Stockholm International Film Festival. 9 October 2025. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ Naman Ramachandran (14 October 2025). "'Samsara,' 'It Was Just an Accident,' 'Magellan' Lead Asia Pacific Screen Awards Nominations". Variety. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ Salwa, Ola (12 December 2025). "Lost Land and All That's Left of You triumph at the fifth Red Sea International Film Festival". Cineuropa. Retrieved 12 December 2025.