Twelve-year-old Janna sets off for Mecca with her strict grandmother, Sitti, and rebellious sister, Sarah, to perform Hajj. But before they reach their destination, Sarah vanishes - forcing Janna and Sitti into a tense, urgent search. Fearing Sarah's father will find out, Sitti and Janna push themselves to the limit, desperate to uncover why Sarah disappeared. Their journey spans from southern Saudi Arabia to its northern borders, crossing old pilgrimage routes and confronting strangers, harsh landscapes, and long-buried family secrets. As they grow closer, Janna begins to unravel stories from Sitti's rich and complex past. The search reveals deep intergenerational rifts among the women in their family. And as their difficult journey begins to echo the spiritual trials of Hajj, Janna and Sitti may find something greater than reconciliation - redemption.

mit | estrelado | starring | avec
Khairia Nazmi, Lamar Faden, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy, Raghad Bokhari, Abdulsalam Alhawiti, Lana Komsany, Ghaliah Amin, Baraa Alem

ein film von | um filme de | a film by | un film de
Shahad AMEEN

Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, UK | 2025 | Feature narrative | 1h55 | Drama


Director's Statement
Hijra is a deeply personal film, rooted in a story I've long wanted to tell - one that reflects the lived experiences of many in Saudi Arabia but is rarely seen on screen. Set during Hajj, one of the most sacred and transformative journeys in the Muslim world, the film explores how this pilgrimage reshapes not just cities like Mecca and Jeddah, but also sparks inner change. Through Janna, on the brink of womanhood, and Sitti's quiet strength, we see evolving family dynamics and personal growth. Their journey mirrors the physical and emotional terrain of Saudi Arabia - from Mecca's sacred paths to Tabuk's snow-capped mountains. With Hijra, I wanted to capture the quiet revolutions of women in motion and explore how freedom is understood across generations and time. It's a reflection on what freedom means for women in the Kingdom - told through my lens.

Note by the Programmer
"A grandmother and her two granddaughters journey from Taif to Mecca. When the eldest granddaughter vanishes, the two remaining women travel north to find her, with their search highlighting the deep cultural and generational bonds between Saudi women. Set against the backdrop of the Hajj pilgrimage, Hijra portrays the intimate and emotional odyssey of these women, which evolves into a spiritual quest. Their journey carries the weight of an entire heritage and offers an emotional, powerful and insightful look at identity. Shot across eight Saudi cities, the film provides a deep dive into the nation's rich cultural tapestry. Actress Khairia Nazmi infuses the story with profound emotion due to her strength and energy. " RED SEA FILM FEST 2025, Djeddah


Titles | Titres :
HIJRA
هجرة

Country | Pays : Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt, UK | Arabie Saoudite, Irak, Egypte, Royaume-Uni
Year | Année : 2025
Runtime | Durée : 115 mins (1h55)
Language | Langue (Version Originale) : َArabic, Urdu, Turkish, English | Arabe, ourdou, turc, anglais
Tags : Famille, Secrets, Pèlerinage


CAST | ACTRICES - ACTEURS :
Khairia Nazmi..............................
Lamar Faden................................
Nawaf Al-Dhufairy.........................
Raghad Bokhari.............................
Abdulsalam Alhawiti.......................
Lana Komsany..............................
Ghaliah Amin................................
Baraa Alem................................



Dirección | REGISSEURIN / REALIZADORA / DIRECTOR / RÉALISATRICE :
Shahad AMEEN

Guiónista | Screenwriter | Scénariste :
Shahad Ameen


Producción | PRODUKTION / PRODUÇÃO / PRODUCTION / PRODUCTION :
- Bite Ameen (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
- Iraqi Independent Film Center (Baghdad, Iraq)
- Ideation Studios (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia)
- Film Clinic (Cairo, Egypt)
- Red Sea Fund
- Human Film
- Three Arts;
- Daw Film - Film Commission | MOC;

Supported by
Daw' Film - Film Commission
Ithra Film Fund;
Noon Art Media Production


CONTACT (Print Copy / Diffusion du film, Festivals) :
- Bite Ameen (Mohamed Jabarah Al-daradji)
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Baghdad, Iraq
Tel: +966 0538881375 / +44 07729101257 | mohamed(@)humanfilm.co.uk | www.humanfilm.co.uk


PRESS OFFICE:
Brigitta Portier - Alibi Communications
E-mail: brigittaportier(@)alibicommunications.be






FESTIVALS - PROJECÇÕES / FESTIVALS - SCREENINGS / PROJECTIONS (selection) :

/// 2025 | Selection: Saudi Arabian entry for the Best International Feature Film (Représentant de l'Arabie Saoudie à l'Oscar du Meilleur film international) || 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026)

/// 2025 | World premiere - Première Mondiale (Official Competition) || 82nd Mostra de Venise - Venezia 82 - Venice Film Festival | Venice (Italy)

/// 2025 | 🏆 Yusr Jury Prize (with a $10 000 prize) || 5th Red Sea Film Festival | DJEDDAH (Saudi Arabia)
/// 2025 | 🏆 Best Saudi Film Award || 5th Red Sea Film Festival | DJEDDAH (Saudi Arabia)

/// 2025 | 🏆 Meilleure image, à Miguel Yoan Littin-Menz || JCC - Carthage Film Festival | TUNIS (Tunisia)



Fuente / Fontes / Our Source / Quelle / Nos Sources (MAIS INFORMAÇÕES / READ MORE / PLUS D'INFOS) :
► Africiné Magazine (Dakar)
► https://jcctunisie.org/fr/films/53
► www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2025/venezia-spotlight/hijra
► https://redseafilmfest.com/en/rsiff_film/hijra/
► www.imdb.com/title/tt32362418/
Updated by Thierno DIA, 04 Jan 2026