Social drama “Sanaa” is set to premiere at the 38th Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the makers announced Tuesday. Headlined by Radhika Madan, the film is written and directed by Sudhanshu Saria, who has also backed the project through his banner Four Line Entertainment.

Saria said he is thrilled about his film’s North American premiere at one of the oldest and the most prestigious film festivals in the world, which will run through February 8 to February 18. “I’m so honoured that the festival has chosen to invite ‘Sanaa’ and launch the film in North America. Their response confirms the universality of the film and the urgent need to further conversations around female agency and autonomy — especially in the American context,” the "Loev" filmmaker said in a statement.