Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen's highly anticipated second feature Hijra has been officially selected to screen in the Spotlight Competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, taking place from August 27 to September 6, 2025. The selection marks a major milestone for Ameen, whose debut film Scales also premiered at Venice, represented Saudi Arabia in the Oscars, and went on to win over 15 international awards. With Hijra, Ameen returns to Venice as both writer and director, teaming up with renowned Iraqi filmmaker Mohamed Al-Daradji as lead producer. Described as a poetic road movie set in 2001, Hijra follows a grandmother traveling from the south of Saudi Arabia to Mecca with her two granddaughters. When one of them disappears, the journey shifts northward in search of her, revealing the emotional and physical landscapes of Saudi Arabia. Filmed in nine diverse locations — from AlUla and Tabuk to NEOM and Jeddah — the film is a cinematic exploration of intergenerational womanhood, identity, and belonging. "Hijra is one of the most challenging films I've ever worked on," Ameen said. "We believed deeply in telling this story about Saudi women through a rich human and historical context." The film features Khairia Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhafiri, and newcomer Lamar Fadan in the lead role of Janna, with a special appearance by Baraa Alem. It is a co-production between Beit Ameen for Production, the Iraqi Independent Film Center, and Ideation Studios, with support from Film AlUla, NEOM, Ithra, and the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation. International distribution is handled by CAA, with CineWaves distributing in Saudi Arabia and Film Clinic Indie Distribution managing regional rights across the Arab world. Behind the scenes, Hijra boasts a high-caliber international crew, including editor Hervé de Luze (The Pianist), cinematographer Miguel Littin Menz (The Vast of Night), and composer Armand Amar (Bab'Aziz), alongside Saudi talents Meznah Alharbi and Toufic Khreich. Rooted in Saudi Arabia's landscapes and soul, Hijra reaffirms the Kingdom's cinematic rise — blending global storytelling with a deeply local voice. — SG
