‘Hijra’ Chosen as Saudi Arabia’s Official Oscar Entry for 2026

Saudi Arabia Selects ‘Hijra’ as Official Entry for 2026 Oscars in International Feature Film Category

The Saudi Film Commission (SFC) has officially selected the feature film ‘Hijra’ to represent Saudi Arabia in the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards, set to be held in March 2026 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The selection was made by a specialized committee of Saudi filmmakers and industry experts, following a formal evaluation process aligned with the Oscars’ eligibility criteria.

Directed by acclaimed Saudi filmmaker Shahad Ameen, Hijra is her second feature film and has already gained critical attention. Set in 2001, the film is described as a poetic road movie following a grandmother and her two granddaughters traveling from southern Saudi Arabia to Makkah for pilgrimage. Their spiritual journey takes a tragic turn when one granddaughter, Sarah, goes missing leading Sitti, the grandmother, and Janna, the younger granddaughter, on a desert journey that unravels long-buried family secrets and highlights intergenerational tensions among women.

Shot across nine diverse Saudi locations, including AlUla, Tabuk, NEOM, and Jeddah, Hijra is a cinematic meditation on identity, belonging, and womanhood in the context of Saudi society. It stars Khairia Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhafiri, and newcomer Lamar Fadan in a standout performance as Janna, with a special appearance by Baraa Alem.

Hijra is a co-production between Beit Ameen for Production, the Iraqi Independent Film Center, and Ideation Studios, and received support from major regional backers including Film AlUla, NEOM, Ithra, and the Red Sea Film Festival Foundation. The film’s nomination not only showcases the evolution of Saudi filmmaking but also reflects the Kingdom’s growing presence on the global cinematic stage.

Earlier this year, Hijra was selected to screen in the Spotlight Competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, held from August 27 to September 6, 2025, further cementing its place as one of the Kingdom’s most significant recent film exports.

With this nomination, Saudi Arabia continues its cultural outreach through cinema, using storytelling to reflect the richness and diversity of its heritage. Hijra now enters the next phase of the Oscars competition, where it will be considered among dozens of global entries, ahead of the Academy’s preliminary and final shortlists.