Saudi Oscar Entry 'A Matter of Life & Death' is Coming to Shahid

Saudi feature 'A Matter of Life and Death' will begin streaming on Shahid across the region on October 22nd, following its selection as Saudi Arabia’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards.

Directed by Anas Batahaf and written by and starring Sarah Taibah alongside Yaqoub Alfarhan, the film is set in contemporary Jeddah and blends romance, fantasy and black comedy. Taibah plays Hayat, an independent woman convinced that a generational curse will kill her on her 30th birthday, while Alfarhan plays Yusuf, a cardiac surgeon with an unusually slow heartbeat that only quickens near death or killing. Their relationship develops as the mystery behind Hayat’s curse unfolds.

The film had its world premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival in December 2025 before opening in Saudi cinemas on June 25th, 2026. It later received a Special Jury Mention at the 12th Saudi Film Festival, where Taibah won the Golden Palm for Best Acting.

Produced by Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Film Clinic and Arabia Pictures with support from the Red Sea Film Fund, the film also stars Hossam Alharathi, Wafi Fouad, Amani Aljamil, Ghada Aboud, Rahaf Ibrahim and Najla Alabdullah. The 99th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 14th, 2027.