The film will be screened alongside two other MAD films titles: 'Ghost Trail' and 'Samia'.
The Saudi film Hajeer, directed by Sara Taleb, is set to make its world premiere at the 13th Dakhla Film Festival in Morocco, which runs from June 14 to 20. The film will compete in the official selection alongside two other internationally recognised titles from MAD Solutions: Ghost Trail, which debuted at Cannes, and Samia, which premiered at Tribeca.
Set in 1960s Jeddah, Hajeer follows the moving journey of a deaf musical prodigy whose passion for music pushes him beyond societal barriers. The story unfolds as he confronts betrayal, prejudice, and the complexities of love, ultimately composing a symphony that echoes resilience and redemption. The film features performances by Abdul Aziz Fiasal, Khaled Yaslem, Reem Al Habib and Khaled Al Harbi.
Joining Hajeer in the festival’s official competition is Yasemin Şamdereli’s Samia, a sports drama based on the life of Somali athlete Samia Yusuf Omar. Despite facing cultural and political obstacles, Samia chases her Olympic dream with unyielding determination, sprinting through the streets of Mogadishu. The film stars Ilham Mohamed Osman, Fathia Mohamed Absie, Fatah Ghedi and Elmi Rashid Elmi. Following its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, Samia received a Special Mention, and went on to win Best Director at the Silk Road International Film Festival and the International Audience Award at the Munich Film Festival. It also drew critical acclaim at the 45th Cairo International Film Festival.
Rounding out the trio is Ghost Trail, directed by Johnathan Millet, a thriller that opened Cannes Film Festival’s 63rd Critics’ Week. Inspired by true events, the film centers on Hamid, a Syrian man who joins a covert network tasked with hunting down former regime leaders in exile. His pursuit of justice leads him to France, where he tracks down his own former torturer. Blending elements of a manhunt thriller with themes of memory, trauma, and justice, Ghost Trail stars Adam Bessa—winner of the Best Actor award at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard for Harka—alongside Tawfeek Barhom and Julia Franz Richter. The film has already secured six awards on the festival circuit.
Together, the three films mark a strong presence for MAD Films at this year’s Dakhla Film Festival, showcasing powerful stories rooted in truth, resilience, and human spirit.
