Hijra (film)

Hijra () is a 2025 adventure drama film written and directed by Shahad Ameen.

Plot The film 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.

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.

Release Hijra had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival at the Venice Spotlight section. It competed in Stockholm Competition section of the 2025 Stockholm International Film Festival on 6 November 2025 vying for the Bronze Horse. It was selected as the Saudi Arabian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.

It competed in the Red Sea: Competition strand at the Red Sea International Film Festival and had screening on 6 December 2025.

The film competed 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.

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has North American sales rights of the film, acquired in May 2024.

Accolades Award Date Category Recipient Result Venice International Film Festival6 September 2025 Audience Award (Venice Spotlight) Hijra NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film Stockholm International Film Festival 16 November 2025 Bronze Horse Asia Pacific Screen Awards 27 November 2025 Best Performance Khayriya Nazmi Red Sea International Film Festival13 December 2025 Yusr Jury PrizeHijra AlUla Audience Award

Hijra (film)

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