Headbang

Headbang Poster

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
April 17, 2026
2:50 pm – 4:35 pm
Cedar Lee Theatre

About This Film

Festival Banner Icon
Festival Year: 2026
Time Clock Icon
Run Time: 14 Minutes
Film Icon
Film Type: Short
Animated Film Icon
Animated: No
Popcorn Icon
Genre: Drama
Location Icon
Countr(ies): USA
Global Language Icon
Language: Arabic, English, Urdu
Speech Icon
English Subtitles: Yes
Closed Caption Icon
Captions: Closed
Schedule Icon
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

Cast & Crew

Directed By

Anna Khaja Headshot
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