Shahad Ameen’s ‘Higra’ Screens to Full House After Venice Win

Saudi feature film ‘Higra’, directed by Shahad Ameen, is continuing its strong festival and theatrical run with a sold-out screening on September 24th, attended by filmmakers, critics, and cinephiles from across the region. The screening follows the film’s international debut at the Venice International Film Festival, where it won the NETPAC Award (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema).

‘Higra’ is a road movie that unfolds through a cross-generational lens. The story follows grandmother Khairiya Nazmi, who abandons her pilgrimage to Makkah when her granddaughter Sara runs away from the family’s traditions. With her other granddaughter Jana (played by Lamar Faddan) and driver Nawaf Al-Dhafiri, Khairiya embarks on a journey across the desert in search of Sara. Along the way, her memories reveal parallels between her own youth and Sara’s defiance.

The film, produced with the support of the Saudi Film Commission, the Red Sea Fund, Film AlUla, NEOM, and Ithra, is written and directed by Ameen. Producers include Faisal Baltyuor, Ayman Jamal, Mohammed Al Turki, Mohammed Hefzy, Ali Al-Daraji, and Abboud Ayyash, with executive producer Emad Eskandar. Cinematography is by Miguel Litten-Menz, with production design by Chris Richmond and Ali Saad, and music by composer Armand Amar. Cinewaves Films is handling Saudi distribution.

Shahad Ameen is widely regarded as one of Saudi Arabia’s most distinctive cinematic voices. Her debut feature ‘Scales’ (2019) earned international acclaim, won an award at the Venice Film Festival, and was selected as Saudi Arabia’s official submission for the 2021 Academy Awards.