Saudi Arabia has officially selected its critically acclaimed film Hijra to represent the Kingdom at the 98th Academy Awards, scheduled to take place in Los Angeles in March 2026.
The Saudi Film Commission announced that Hijra will compete in the Best International Feature Film category, marking another milestone in the country’s rapidly growing film industry. The announcement was made through the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Monday.
The film, directed by Shahad Ameen, was chosen by a committee of leading Saudi filmmakers and industry experts to represent the Kingdom on the global stage. The Oscars shortlist will be unveiled after several review stages, where Hijra will compete against entries from dozens of countries.
Premiering in August at the Venice International Film Festival, Hijra captivated audiences with its powerful storytelling and striking visuals. The film explores the evolution of female identity across generations and portrays the emotional journey of self-discovery.
The story follows Khairiya Nazmi, a grandmother, and her granddaughter Lamar Feddan, as they embark on a journey across northern Saudi Arabia to search for a missing teenage girl. Their travels unfold against the spiritual and cultural backdrop of Hajj, weaving together themes of family, faith, and freedom.
“It’s a story about women finding themselves and understanding what freedom means to them,” Ameen explained in a statement.
The film was shot over 55 days across eight Saudi cities, including Taif, Jeddah, Madinah, AlUla, Tabuk, Neom, Wadi Al-Faraa, and Duba, capturing the diversity and beauty of the Kingdom’s landscapes.
Hijra has already gained international recognition, winning the NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film last month. This marks Ameen’s second film to be selected as Saudi Arabia’s official Oscar submission—her previous work, Scales (2019), was chosen for the 93rd Academy Awards.
“Where Scales was mythic, Hijra is deeply personal. It’s about the pilgrimage we take toward understanding ourselves and the emotional price of that journey,” Ameen said.
The film’s selection highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing cultural presence on the global stage and its commitment to storytelling that reflects both national identity and universal human experiences.
Since its establishment in 2020, the Saudi Film Commission has played a pivotal role in fostering local talent and building the nation’s cinematic ecosystem. A recent report from the commission revealed that 64 film projects have received government incentives, generating $288 million in local spending.
In 2024 alone, Saudi cinemas sold 17.5 million tickets, expanding to 64 locations and 630 screens across the Kingdom. Additionally, 14 projects received new incentives totaling over SR93 million, and 65 production companies are now operating in the country.
Film festivals such as the Red Sea International Film Festival, Saudi Film Festival, and Gulf Cinema Festival have further strengthened the Kingdom’s reputation as an emerging hub for global filmmaking.
The selection of Hijra for the Academy Awards represents not only a cultural milestone but also Saudi Arabia’s ambition to solidify its place among leading international film industries.
