Journey to Mecca is an IMAX dramatic and documentary feature filmed in Saudi Arabia and Morocco in English and Arabic that tells the amazing story of Ibn Battuta, one of the greatest travelers of all time–travelling for almost 30 years and three times farther than Marco Polo. The film follows his first epic journey in 1325 from Tangier to Mecca across North Africa, the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. His perilous voyage resonates with adventure while presenting an unforgettable picture of Islamic civilization during the 14th century.

Journey to Mecca culminates with Ibn Battuta’s first Hajj–the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which is one of the longest running congregations of people in history. The film reveals for the first time on the giant screen the Hajj as it was performed in the 14th century and dissolving into the most astounding modern-day footage of the Hajj ever recorded in IMAX, with over 3 million pilgrims.
Length: 40:00

Film Details

  • Year Released: 2009
  • Date Released:
    January 2009
  • Alternate Titles:
  • Status: In Distribution
  • 3D: No
  • Run Time: 31-50
  • Formats: 15/70
  • Distributor:

    Cosmic Picture

  • Produced By:
  • Executive Producer: Jake Eberts
  • Producer: Producers: Dominic Cunningham-Reid, Taran Davies, Jonathan Barker. Co -producers: Dima Alansari, Sounia Benjelloun, Al-Zain Al-Sabah. Superivising Producer: Diane Roberts, Tony Thatcher. Line Producer: Daniel Ferguson
  • Director:  Bruce Neibaur
  • Associate Producer: 
  • Writer:  Bruce Neibaur, Tahir Shah, Carl Knutson
  • Cinematography: Matthew Williams, Afshin Javdi (Mecca), Ghasem Ebrahimian (Mecca)
  • Sound Editor: 
  • Visual Effects:
  • Music/Score:  Michael Brook, A.J. Racy
  • Editor: Jean-Marie Drot
  • Narrator: Ben Kingsley
  • Other Credits: Starring: Chems Eddine Zinoun, Hassam Ghancy, Nadim Sawalha, Nabil Elouahabi
  • Sponsors:

Genre

  • Cultural Studies
  • Documentary
  • Exploration/Discovery
  • Historical

Website

Awards

  • Remi Award for Best Dramatic Short, Houston International Film Festival, April 2010
  • Best Sound Design, Giant Screen Cinema Association, September 2009

Film Facts

First film granted ground and aerial access in Mecca to the Holy Mosque and Ka’bah by King Abdullah.