Saudi writer-director Shahad Ameen returns to the Venice Film Festival with “Hijra,” which has its world premiere in the Spotlight section. Her debut “Scales” also premiered in Venice and then went on to win more than 15 international awards and represented her country in the Oscar race. Variety debuts the trailer for “Hijra” here.

Ameen said it was a very challenging film to make. “We filmed in remote cities and regions, but we deeply believed in the importance of telling this story, a tale of Saudi women from different generations, set within a rich human and historical context,” she said.

The film centers on 12-year-old Janna, who embarks on a journey toward Mecca to preform Hajj with her strict grandmother Sitti and rebellious 18-year-old sister Sarah. But before they reach the

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