CinemaNA: Hijra - Shahad Ameen

Name: CinemaNA: Hijra - Shahad Ameen
Start: 2026-02-11T19:00:00+0400
End: 2026-02-11T22:00:00+0400
Location: The Blue Hall, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi

The Blue Hall, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi

Wed 11 Feb

Doors:19:00

Start:19:30

The Blue Hall, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi

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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

Shahad Ameen

Shahad Ameen is an award-winning writer and director from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She holds a BA in Video Production and Film Studies from the University of West London and a screenwriting qualification. Her short films include Leila’s Window (2011), which won Best Film at the Saudi Film Festival, and Eye & Mermaid (2013), which screened at major festivals including Toronto and Stockholm, winning awards for cinematography and fiction. Her debut feature, Scales (previously screened at CinemaNA at The Arts Center), premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and won the Verona Film Club Award. The film also received multiple international honors and was Saudi Arabia’s official submission to the 2020 Academy Awards.

The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all patrons.

Entry to the NYUAD Campus is through either the East or West Parking or the Welcome Center.

Patrons will be required to present a valid ticket to an event at The Arts Center upon entry to the campus.

As per current Department of Culture and Tourism guidelines a Green Al Hosn is NO LONGER needed to attend public events in Abu Dhabi.

The wearing of face masks is NO LONGER required in most indoor public places, including campus buildings.

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By car: The Arts Center is easily accessible by car. You can park in the designated area for parking once you arrive.

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