At Annecy 2026, Manga Productions is unveiling Henna, a new animated short film in collaboration with BiliBili and created entirely by Saudi artists and creatives.
In partnership with Manga Productions.
Set in rural Saudi Arabia in the 1950s, the film follows a young deaf girl who discovers her voice through the ancient art of henna. Deeply rooted in local culture and traditions, Henna explores communication, creativity, and self-expression through a story that is both distinctly Saudi and universally relatable.
For Manga Productions, the project reflects a long-standing belief that Saudi Arabia has stories worth sharing with global audiences, as well as the creative talent to tell them. Every aspect of Henna has been developed with that vision in mind, from its visual identity inspired by regional artistic traditions to its attention to cultural detail.
The art of henna is central to the film, shaping the way the protagonist experiences and understands the world around her. Through her journey, Henna also aims to bring greater representation to audiences who have historically seen little of themselves reflected in animation.
The announcement marks another milestone for Manga Productions as it continues to expand Saudi Arabia’s presence in the international animation industry. Previous works include The Journey, winner of the Septimius Award for Best Experimental Film, which helped introduce Saudi animation to audiences worldwide.
As the company develops new shorts and feature films, its focus remains unchanged: supporting Saudi creative talent, building meaningful international partnerships, and telling stories that are authentic to their cultural roots while connecting with audiences everywhere.
Manga Productions will be presenting Henna and discussing future collaboration opportunities during Annecy 2026.
