The multi-award winning film, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Haifaa Al Mansour, revolves around a young girl's desire to own a bicycle.
"'Wadjda' is the perfect film to open the festival and we are incredibly proud of Haifaa and the international success she has achieved with her impressive debut feature. Wadjda first came onto our radars at a script workshop during the 2007 Gulf Film Festival and we fell in love with the story instantly.
"It only seems right that this remarkable accomplishment should be celebrated at GFF and we look forward to seeing what this incredibly talented filmmaker will present next," said GFF director Masoud Amralla Al Ali.
Haifaa Al Mansoor, walked away with the USD 50,000 Best Arab Feature prize, while the film's young protagonist Waad Mohammad won Best Actress.
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