The film previously won the "Film AlUla Audience Award: Saudi Film" at the Red Sea International Film Festival, received a Special Mention at the 77th Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard section, and was nominated for both the Un Certain Regard Prize and the Caméra d'Or (Best First Feature Film Award). For this screening in China, the distributor Ori Group invited the cast & crew to China for the first time. Director Tawfik Al-Zaidi participated in the post-screening Q&A session, sharing insights about the film's inspiration and cultural reflections with the audience. He said, "Although Norah is rooted in Saudi culture, its themes are universal - dreams, choices, and self-expression. We are honored to share this story in Beijing and hope to engage in a deep dialogue with Chinese audiences through the language of cinema."

That evening, Director Tawfik and Ms. Wang Lu from Ori Group walked the BJIFF's red carpet together.

Norah was filmed on location in AlUla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia's culturally restrictive 1990s, the film follows a young teacher and a village girl as they embark on an artistic awakening, exploring the tension and fusion between personal freedom and traditional values. Through sweeping desert vistas that serve as a canvas for the soul, the protagonist's artistic awakening emerges as a ray of hope breaking through historical constraints.

During the post-screening discussion, Director Tawfik remarked, "Norah symbolizes light and hope in Arabic. With the language of imagery, we reconstruct Saudi Arabia's cultural memory." Audience members praised the film, calling it "both a moving story of youthful awakening and a love letter to the world's cultural heritage". The film's breakthroughs in visual storytelling and emotional expression offer international viewers a vivid window into understanding Saudi Arabia and experiencing the creative energy of a new generation in the Middle East.

▍Cinema as a Bridge: New Opportunities for Sino-Saudi Film Collaboration

The screening of Norah coincides with the "China-Saudi Arabia Year of Culture in 2025". As one of the most emotionally resonant and impactful cultural mediums, cinema provides a unique channel for fostering cultural understanding and communication between two nations.

It was reported that during the BJIFF, Norah will also be screened at the Communication University of China (CUC), where a special campus event will be held. The cast & crew will engage in face-to-face discussions with CUC students, exploring the social significance of China-Saudi cultural narratives and the role of cinema as a medium. This initiative aims to spark intellectual exchanges and creative dialogues among the youth of both countries, building a new bridge for mutual cultural understanding and collaboration.