Midwest Premiere
Showings
Festival tickets go on sale March 18, with visionaries and members receiving early access for ticket purchase.
April 16, 2026
1:35 pm – 3:20 pm
Playhouse Square Campus
Playhouse Square Allen Theatre
About This Film
Festival Year: 2026
Run Time: 14 Minutes
Film Type: Short
Animated: No
Genre: Drama
Countr(ies): USA
Language: Arabic, English, Urdu
English Subtitles: Yes
Captions: Closed
Release Year: 2025
Film Overview
Through the lens of two different young women, Leila, from secular background, and Amara, from a religious one, HEADBANG explores the complex power of the hijab, and how a seemingly simple piece of cloth embodies both what the wearer imbues it with and what society project onto to it.
Film Contact: Anna Khaja
Film Website: https://annakhajaofficial.com
Film Email: annakhaja@gmail.com
Cast & Crew
Directed By
Anna Khaja
Produced By
Cameron Fife, Anna Khaja, Chris Rossi
Screenwriting
Anna Khaja
Cinematographers
Christopher Low
Editors
Dane Naimy
Principal Cast
Alexa Mansour, Rusama Islam, Ayana Manji, Purbi Joshi, Yasmine Aker