Shahad Ameen’s work blends myth, folklore, and social commentary to explore themes of gender, identity, and power. Born in Jeddah and trained in film in London, she developed her voice through a series of short films before breaking onto the international stage. She gained widespread recognition with her debut feature, SCALES, a dark feminist fable that premiered in Venice’s Critics’ Week and went on to win multiple international awards, while also serving as Saudi Arabia’s submission to the Academy Awards. Her earlier short, EYE & MERMAID, laid the foundation for her signature visual and thematic style, premiering at major festivals including Dubai and Toronto. Across her work, Ameen combines striking visual world-building with socially grounded storytelling, positioning her at the forefront of a new wave of Saudi filmmakers redefining the region’s cinematic language.
HIJRA: Ameen’s latest feature, following three generations of Saudi women on a journey across the country, premiered at the 82nd Biennale, where it won the NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film. It also won the Yusr Jury Prize and the AlUla Audience Award at Red Sea, along with Best Actor and Best Cinematography at Carthage.
Second Oscar Submission: HIJRA was selected to be Saudi Arabia’s official Oscar submission, marking Ameen’s second time representing the country after her debut feature SCALES.
