WADJDA is a 10-year-old girl living in a suburb of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Although she lives in a conservative world, Wadjda is fun loving, entrepreneurial and always pushing the boundaries of what she can get away with. After a fight with her friend Abdullah, a neighbourhood boy she shouldn’t be playing with, Wadjda sees a beautiful green bicycle for sale. She wants the bicycle desperately so she can beat Abdullah in a race but Wadjda’s mother won’t allow it, fearing repercussions from a society that sees bicycles as dangerous to a girl’s virtue. Wadjda is determined to raise the money herself, so much so, she enters a Koran recital competition just for the prize money.
Director Haifa Al-Mansour's portrayal of her country is shown without heavy judgement, although the bitter-sweetness of being female is not concealed.
Winner of 19 Awards!
Rated G, Ages 8+, In Arabic w/English Subtitles
All proceeds donated to Queen Victoria, Laura Secord and Nootka Elementary school.
SPECIAL THANKS to our Presenting Sponsor
VANCITY CREDIT UNION
SPECIAL THANKS to our Partner
r2rfestival.org
Reel 2 Real International Film Festival For Youth
SPECIAL THANKS to our Media/Publicity Sponsors
The Georgia Straight
Gramma Publications