Ivaniceva, Ms.MarinaAlhajhussein, Mr.AasemM. Al-Saud, Al-Anoud2025-09-212025-09-212025-05https://repository.effatuniversity.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14131/2236Ameena & Zainab follows two inseparable teenage girls in Saudi Arabia as they search for personal identity amid parental influence and individual challenges. Raised in a conservative environment, their bond is tested when personal beliefs and expectations collide. As tensions rise, they must confront what it truly means to grow up—and whether growing apart is sometimes part of that journey. The film was sparked by a deeply personal event that prompted the director to revisit the evolution of a formative friendship. What began as private reflections and memories gradually grew into a cinematic exploration of adolescence, resilience, and the impact of religious instruction taught through fear rather than understanding. Influenced by films such as Wajda and Theeb, the project uses visual storytelling to mirror emotional change, shifting from warm, bright hues to cooler, muted tones and combining intimate close-ups with isolating wide shots to capture the characters’ inner worlds. The production journey proved as dramatic as the narrative itself. Midway through filming, an unexpected setback involving the lead actress forced urgent script revisions and scene mergers to preserve both schedule and vision. Casting across different age groups introduced further challenges and surprising rewards, while close collaboration with editors, a colorist, and sound designers shaped the final aesthetic and emotional resonance. Six rounds of editing ultimately refined the pacing to a festival-friendly 14-minute cut. Ameena & Zainab speaks first to young Saudi women but reaches far beyond, inviting audiences everywhere to reflect on adolescence, parental expectations, and the complexities of friendship. It stands as both personal closure for the filmmaker and a contribution to the growing landscape of Saudi cinema that celebrates authentic local stories with universal appeal.enCapstone