Deported from Spain and forced to return to Western Sahara, a young Sahrawi woman discovers that the home she once knew and the family she left behind can no longer hold who she has become. Through loneliness, strained ties, and the fragile connections she rebuilds, the film reveals a rarely told truth: exile does not only happen when we leave; it can begin the moment we come back.
 Nomad Shadow Written & Directed by Eimi Imanishi

Deported from Spain and forced to return to Western Sahara, a young Sahrawi woman discovers that the home she once knew and the family she left behind can no longer hold who she has become. Through loneliness, strained ties, and the fragile connections she rebuilds, the film reveals a rarely told truth: exile does not only happen when we leave; it can begin the moment we come back.
 Nomad Shadow Written & Directed by Eimi Imanishi

ABOUT THE FILM

We champion filmmakers like Eimi Imanishi who step beyond comfort and genre, carrying diverse and daring voices into stories of return and belonging. Filmed in demanding locations, shaped by real lives, and anchored in lived truth, Eimi’s ten-year journey refused to compromise on authenticity, casting, or emotional integrity. We are proud that her vision brought together cast and crew from 19 nationalities – a testament to independent cinema and the shared humanity at its heart.

82 Minutes | Arabic/Spanish | Drama

ABOUT THE FILM

We champion filmmakers like Eimi Imanishi who step beyond comfort and genre, carrying diverse and daring voices into stories of return and belonging. Filmed in demanding locations, shaped by real lives, and anchored in lived truth, Eimi’s ten-year journey refused to compromise on authenticity, casting, or emotional integrity. We are proud that her vision brought together cast and crew from 19 nationalities – a testament to independent cinema and the shared humanity at its heart.

82 Minutes | Arabic/Spanish | Drama

SNEAK PEEK

Play Video

CAST

  • Nadhira Mohamed

    as Mariam

  • Ghizlane L’Koucha

    as Ghalia

ADDITIONAL CAST

Suleiman Filali

as Alwali

Omar Salem

as Sidahmed

Eddami Elabed

as Fatimetou

Chekh Mehdi

as Abdallah

Khadija Najem

as Allal Selka

TIFF 50 Logo
POFF Black Nights Film Festival Logo
Santa Barbara International Film Festival Logo

REVIEWS

“

Nomad Shadow is so entirely of its times in this show of diversity and multiculturalism.

Cinema ExpressNamrata Joshi
“

Nomad Shadow… investigates the unforgiving dynamics of exile: how identity calcifies in foreign soil and then cracks when forced back into its original mold.

Afrocritik
“

This is a small gem of a film. It’s a film that shows us a life that we don’t really consider.

Unseen FilmsSteve Kopian
Nomad Shadows Still - empty boat floating in the water at dusk