When rebellious eight-year-old Salma is punished for cutting her hair without permission, she escapes to her ailing grandmother’s bed—only to learn a secret: her grandmother was once a queen, and her crown was stolen by creatures of darkness. Fueled by curiosity and imagination, Salma sets off on a fantastical journey through a garden, a forest, and a starry desert. Along the way, she meets a seer, a gang of outlaws, and finally the “monsters,” who aren’t what they seem. In the end, Salma discovers that true freedom is hers to claim.
Director Details
Maram Taibah is a Saudi director, screenwriter, and children's fantasy author. She has directed three short films, including Malika—her first foray into fantasy—funded by the “AlUla Creates” program and mentored by Haifaa Al-Mansour and producer James Richardson. The film premiered at the Chelsea Film Festival and then competed at the 2024 Red Sea Film Festival. Her earlier drama Don’t Go Too Far, shot in New York, won Best Actor and was selected by Bella Thorne for Taormina Film Festival’s “Impactful Films” collection.
