Brides is a powerful and unflinching drama about two teenage girls, desperate for freedom, friendship, and a sense of belonging, who flee their troubled lives in the UK with the misguided dream of becoming ISIS brides in Syria.

What begins as a search for hope quickly turns into a descent into darkness, as they are pulled into a world that promises salvation but delivers only suffering. Fardosa (Ebada Hassan), a Somali immigrant, and Muna (Safiyya Ingar), of Pakistani heritage, are classmates at a school in Wales. Isolated as the only Muslim girls in their class, they endure daily racist abuse. Fardosa, whom Muna affectionately calls “Doe,” is quiet and reserved, always wearing her hijab, while, in contrast, Muna is outspoken and defiant, frequently clashing with teachers and peers. When their plan unravels in Istanbul, the girls are forced to continue the journey alone, confronting both external threats and the deep emotional scars they carry. As they struggle to find their place in a fractured world, their bond is tested, and their search for identity comes at a devastating cost.

Directed by acclaimed theater director and playwright Nadia Fall in her striking feature debut, Brides is a bold, emotionally resonant coming-of-age story. Through Suhayla El-Bushra’s empathetic and incisive script, this film explores the complexities of girlhood, faith, and radicalization with nuance and political urgency. Anchored by breakout performances from Ebada Hassan and Safiyya Ingar, Brides offers a raw and unforgettable portrait of two young women caught between cultures, convictions, and a desire to find a community that can truly appreciate them. This film was a feature presentation at the 2025 African Diaspora International Film Festival–Chicago earlier this year.