Saudi Film Commission Announces 'Hijrah' as the Kingdom’s Official Submission for the 98th Academy Awards' Best International Feature Film

Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Oscars reflects its continued commitment to sharing its unique stories with global audiences.

 A specialised committee worked on selecting the film to represent the Kingdom through precise nomination criteria.

 The Saudi Film Commission (SFC) has announced that the feature film 'Hijrah' has been officially selected to represent Saudi Arabia at the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.

 The selection was made by a committee of prominent Saudi filmmakers and industry specialists, who reviewed and discussed the submitted films according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscars) standards, following a formal voting process. 'Hijrah' was chosen as the Kingdom's official entry.

 'Hijrah' is among the latest Saudi cinematic productions that reflect the diversity of local storytelling and the richness of the Kingdom's cultural identity, offering an artistic and human-centric approach to significant social themes. The film follows the journey of three Saudi women from different generations travelling to Mecca for Pilgrimage, which turns into a tragedy when Sarah goes missing before reaching the city. The grandmother and granddaughter embark on a challenging desert journey that uncovers hidden family secrets and highlights the generational gap among women. The film is directed by Shahad Ameen and features performances by both Saudi talents and established names in the film industry.

 In line with the academy's eligibility criteria for the Best International Feature Film category, the film will compete with dozens of submissions from around the world. It will undergo multiple selection stages, starting with the announcement of a preliminary list, followed by the academy’s final shortlist. The winner in this category will be announced at the 98th Academy Awards ceremony, scheduled to take place at the Doly Theatre in Los Angeles in March 2026.

 This milestone highlights Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to supporting its creative industries and sharing its unique stories with global audiences.