A screening of the film Hijra, accompanied by a live conversation with Saudi Arabian filmmaker Shahad Ameen.
Innocent 12-year-old Janna embarks on a journey towards Mecca to perform Hajj with her strict grandmother Sitti and rebellious 18-year-old sister Sarah. But before they reach their destination, Sarah disappears, forcing Janna and Sitti into a tense and urgent search.
Afraid of Sarah’s father discovering the truth, Sitti and Janna push themselves to the limit, determined to uncover why Sarah vanished. Their journey stretches from the south of Saudi Arabia to its northern borders, crossing old pilgrimage routes and confronting strangers, unforgiving landscapes, and long-buried family secrets.
As they grow closer, Janna begins to uncover stories from Sitti’s rich and complicated past. The search for Sarah reveals deep intergenerational rifts between the women in their family. And as their harsh journey begins to mirror the spiritual trials of Hajj itself, Janna and Sitti may find something even more powerful than reconciliation—redemption.
Genre: Drama
Year: 2025
Duration: 115 minutes
Written and directed by Shahad Ameen
Produced by Mohamed Jabarah Al-Daradji and Faisal Baltyuor
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Blue Hall, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU Abu Dhabi A6 Arts & Humanities Bldg - Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Hwy - Al Saadiyat Island - Saadiyat Marina District - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
