Saleem · Digitales

The children of Saleem gathered under a giant tree on a green hillside, beside a boulder carved with an anchor.

A feature film by Digitales

Jordan’s first 3D animated feature.

Now streaming on Shahid

The story Festivals and awards

Still from Saleem (2023)

Runtime: 1h 30mAbout 90 minutes (1h 30m 26s)
Genre: Adventure, animation, family
Language: Arabic
Director: Cynthia Madanat Sharaiha
Release: Jordan & GCCTheatrical in Jordan; GCC from Feb 2024 with FrontRow Filmed Entertainment

The story

A boy who had to leave everything behind. A treasure map. And the hope he never knew he needed.

After being forced to leave everything behind, nine-year-old Saleem moves to a new town with his mother and siblings.

One day he stumbles upon a treasure map, and with new friends Fares, Zeina and Abboud sets out on an adventure to find a treasure he never knew he needed.

The friends: Fares, Zeina and Abboud
Made by: More than 100 artists, writers, animators, musicians and child psychologists from around the world

“It’s not a war story.”

Cynthia Madanat Sharaiha, director, AWN, 2024

Saleem is a film about recovery and hope: what a child carries into a new town, and what he finds there.

Shadi Sharaiha and Cynthia Madanat Sharaiha with His Majesty King Abdullah II at Al Husseiniya Palace. — Al Husseiniya Palace, 25 May 2024

A royal honour

Order of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein for Excellence

His Majesty King Abdullah II bestowed the Order of King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein for Excellence on the production team of Saleem. Shadi Sharaiha and Cynthia Madanat Sharaiha received it at Al Husseiniya Palace on 25 May 2024, Jordan’s 78th Independence Day.

Date: 25 May 2024
Place: Al Husseiniya Palace
Occasion: Jordan’s 78th Independence Day

Credits

Directed by: Cynthia Madanat Sharaiha
Produced by: Shadi SharaihaNadia HusseiniDolly Dib
Written by: Mirna JadounCynthia Madanat SharaihaShadi SharaihaDolly DibMajd MatalkaLeen Abu LailNadia HusseiniBana Nasser
Animation director: Jonathan Reaux
Music: Kurt Heinecke

World-class collaborators

Made in Amman, with friends from far away

More than 100 artists, writers, animators, musicians and child psychologists from around the world worked on Saleem. Among them:

Tom Bancroft
Disney animator
The Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan
Led the 2D animation team on Saleem.
Rob Corley
Disney character concept artist
Part of the international team behind Saleem.
Kurt Heinecke
Dove Award winner
Music director of VeggieTales and Superbook
Wrote the music for Saleem.

Festivals and awards