Haifaa Al Mansour’s acclaimed drama will contest the Academy’s foreign language race for Saudi Arabia.

Wadjda is the first film to be shot in Saudi Arabia and by extension becomes the kingdom’s first Oscar submission.

Due to the restriction on women’s rights in Saudi Arabia, Al Mansour had to direct her actors from out of sight in a van.

Rotana Studios produced the story about a young girl from Riyadh who takes on the authorities when she attempts to fulfill her forbidden dream of owning a green bicycle.

The Match Factory handled international sales and SPC released the film in June.