Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — The Saudi Film Commission (SFC) announced that the feature film 'Hijra' has been officially selected to represent Saudi Arabia at the 98th Oscar Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.
The selection of Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen’s second feature film was made by a committee of prominent Saudi filmmakers and industry specialists, who reviewed and discussed the submitted films according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars) standards, following a formal voting process.
Described as a poetic road movie set in 2001, Hijra follows a grandmother traveling from the south of Saudi Arabia to Makkah with her two granddaughters for pilgrimage. This journey turns into a tragedy when Sarah, one of the granddaughters, goes missing before reaching the city. The grandmother Sitti and granddaughter Janna embark on a challenging desert journey that uncovers hidden family secrets and highlights the generational gap among women. 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.
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.
Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Oscars reflects its continued commitment to sharing its unique stories with global audiences. A specialized committee worked on selecting the film to represent the Kingdom through precise nomination criteria.
'Hijra' is among the latest Saudi cinematic productions that reflect the diversity of local storytelling and the richness of the Kingdom's cultural identity, offering an artistic and human-centric approach to significant social themes.
In line with the academy's eligibility criteria for the Best International Feature Film category, the film will compete with dozens of submissions from around the world. It will undergo multiple selection stages, starting with the announcement of a preliminary list, followed by the academy’s final shortlist. The winner in this category will be announced at the 98th Academy Awards ceremony, scheduled to take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles in March 2026.
This milestone highlights Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to supporting its creative industries and sharing its unique stories with global audiences.
Hijra was earlier selected to screen in the Spotlight Competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, held from August 27 to September 6, 2025.