Tunisian Films Shine at the 69th London Film Festival
The film "The Voice Of Hind Rajab" by Kaouther Ben Hania, Tunisia's candidate for the 2026 Oscars, has been selected for the official competition at the 69th London Film Festival (LFF), scheduled to take place from October 8 to 19, 2025, in the British capital.
Promised Sky Joins the Journey Section
"Promised Sky" (Promis le ciel) by Erige Sehiri, which tells the story of three Ivorian women living in Tunisia and trying to improve their lives, has been selected for the Journey section. The film made its worldwide premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival (May 13-24, 2025).
Both films have received support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the National Center for Cinema and Image (CNCI).
Tunisian Actor Dhafer Labidine Participates in Palestine 36
Tunisian actor Dhafer Labidine is also participating in the film "Palestine 36" (120 minutes), selected for the Journey section, which highlights stories that can change our perspective on the world.
Kaouther Ben Hania Returns to London
Kaouther Ben Hania is returning to London after participating in 2023 with "Les Filles d'Olfa", another Tunisian candidate for the Oscars, presented in the Debate section of the festival.
The Voice Of Hind Rajab Wins Silver Lion
"The Voice Of Hind Rajab" (89 minutes), winner of the Silver Lion - Grand Jury Prize at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival (August 27 - September 6, 2025), was presented in the official competition (Venezia 82) and won six parallel awards.
Pre-selected to represent Tunisia at the Academy Awards for Best International Film, "The Voice Of Hind Rajab" will be released in theaters starting September 17, 2025, after a national premiere scheduled for September 10. Written and directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, the film is a Tunisian-French co-production (Tanit Films, Film4 Productions, and Film Four) that received a grant from the Fund for Encouraging Literary and Artistic Creation.
A Powerful Docufiction
This 89-minute docufiction, which recounts the disturbing story of a 5-year-old girl killed in Gaza in 2024, has sparked strong resonance in Venice and in the international and Arab press. It features a Palestinian cast, including Amer Hlehel, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees, and Saja Kilani.
Its worldwide premiere at the Venice Film Festival was greeted with a 23-minute standing ovation, deeply moving the critics and the audience.
After Venice, the film will continue its journey in other international festivals this autumn, including Toronto (Canada), San Sebastián (Spain), and London (UK).
Promised Sky Selected for Un Certain Regard
"Promised Sky" was selected for the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival. This 92-minute fiction film, which addresses the migration phenomenon, highlights the stories of three young Ivorian women living in Tunisia.
The cast includes Aïssa Maïga (French actress, director, and author of Senegalese and Malian origin), Laetitia Ky (Ivorian artist and activist born in 1996 in Abidjan), Debora Lobe Naney (28 years old, making her film debut with this role), and young Estelle Kenza Dogbo. Tunisian actors Mohamed Grayaa (Ismaël) and Foued Zaazaa (Foued) complete the cast.
"Promis le ciel" is co-written by Erige Sehiri, Anna Ciennik, and Malika Cécile Louati, with original music by Valentin Hadjadj and cinematography by Frida Marzouk.
Palestine 36: A Historical Drama
"Palestine 36", directed by Annemarie Jacir, is a 2025 historical drama co-produced between Palestine, the UK, and France. Presented as the filmmaker's most ambitious work, this epic film revisits the events leading up to the 1936 Arab revolt.
The film features a large cast, including Hiam Abbass, Saleh Bakri, Kamel El Basha, Yasmine Al Massri, Jalal Altawil, Robert Aramayo, Yafa Bakri, Karim Daoud Anaya, Wardi Eilabouni, Ward Helou, Billy Howle, Liam Cunningham, Jeremy Irons, and Dhafer Labidine.
The London Film Festival
Organized by the British Film Institute (BFI), the London Film Festival, created in 1956, is one of the most prestigious film events in the world. Its awards celebrate the most innovative works and emerging talents in various categories: official competition, first feature films, short films, and documentaries.
The program for the 69th edition of the LFF features 247 films (feature films, shorts, series, and immersive works) from 79 countries.
