Saudi film ‘Hijra' to compete at Venice festival
Backed by the Film Commission's Daw program, the selection is Saudi Arabia's latest bid for global recognition after Ameen's award-winning debut 'Scales' premiered at the same festival in 2019.
The film follows a grandmother, Khairiya Nazmi, and her granddaughter, Lamar Feddan, as they journey across northern Saudi Arabia to find a missing teenage girl.
Shot over more than 55 days in eight Saudi cities – Taif, Jeddah, Madinah, Wadi Al-Faraa, AlUla, Tabuk, NEOM, and Duba – the story unfolds against the backdrop of Hajj.
Ameen's narrative explores Saudi Arabia's historical role as a crossroads for Muslim communities, weaving themes of migration and intergenerational resilience.
Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen's feature film 'Hijra' (Migration) will compete in the Venice Spotlight Competition
Film Commission CEO Abdullah Al-Qahtani said: 'Our participation in the Venice International Film Festival reflects the remarkable progress of Saudi cinema and the dedication of our filmmakers.
'Through initiatives like the Daw program, we empower a new generation of Saudi storytellers to share authentic narratives with global audiences. We are honored to represent the Kingdom at this prestigious event and look forward to building new partnerships and opportunities for Saudi talent.'
He noted that the Daw initiative has supported more than 250 regional films since its launch, aligning with Vision 2030's goal of positioning Saudi cinema on the global stage.
During the festival, the commission will host a roundtable, 'Young Audiences and Cinemas,' to explore strategies for engaging younger generations through local and global case studies.
It will also present a panel, 'Making Cinematic Success,' featuring Saudi filmmakers crafting original narratives inspired by local culture and connecting with global audiences.
At the same venue, nine Saudi short films will be screened, showing the diversity of national creative talent and storytelling.
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