"The Voice Of Hind Rajab" Wins Audience Award at San Sebastián International Film Festival
The documentary film "The Voice Of Hind Rajab" (La voix de Hind Rajab), written and directed by Kaouther ben Hania, has won the audience award in the Perlak section at the 73rd edition of the San Sebastián International Film Festival (SSIFF) in Spain, whose awards were announced on Saturday.
Winners of the 73rd Edition of SSIFF
The jury of this 73rd edition of SSIFF, held from September 19 to 27, 2025, awarded the Golden Shell, the festival's top prize, to "Los domingos" (Sundays) by Alauda Ruiz de Azúa (Spain, France). The Special Jury Prize went to "Historia del buen valle" (Good Valley Stories) by José Luis Guerin (Spain, France). "Six jours, ce printemps-là" (Belgium, France, Luxembourg) won the Silver Shell for Best Director, awarded to Joachim Lafosse, and the screenplay prize, awarded to Joachim Lafosse, Chloé Duponchele, and Paul Isamel. The Photography Prize was awarded to Pau Esteve for "Los Tigres" (Spain, France). The main interpretation prize was awarded to Jose Ramon Soroiz in "Maspalomas" (Spain) and Zhao Xiaohong in "Jianyu Laide Mama" (China), while the secondary interpretation prize went to Camila Plaate in "Belén" (Argentina).
"The Voice Of Hind Rajab" Film
"The Voice Of Hind Rajab" is a Tunisian-French co-production by Tanit Films, Film4 Productions, and Film Four. It received a grant from the Fund for Encouragement of Literary and Artistic Creation at the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs, in addition to the Doha Film Institute's grant program. After its distinction at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, the film, which is Tunisia's candidate for the 2026 Oscars, was recently chosen as the opening film of the Doha Film Festival in Qatar and the closing film of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) in Egypt, which will take place in November 2025.
Film Festivals and Release
This award-winning docufiction, which won the Silver Lion and six parallel prizes at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, where it made its world premiere, has also been selected for other festivals this autumn, including the Toronto Film Festival and the London Film Festival. "The Voice Of Hind Rajab" was released in several Tunisian theaters on Wednesday, September 17. Its African premiere will take place on November 21 at the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), which will run from November 12 to 21, 2025.
Film Synopsis
The film tells the story of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who found herself trapped in a car under intense bombing in Gaza after losing her family. During these heartbreaking moments, Hind made a desperate call to the Palestinian Red Cross emergency services, while rescue teams struggled to obtain a safe passage to reach her. Using the real audio recording of the call, the film offers a gripping cinematic experience that illuminates the silence, fear, and waiting, transforming the child's voice into a universal symbol of innocence in the face of violence.
Reception and Support
During its preview screening at the Venice Film Festival, the film by the multi-award-winning director, featuring a cast of Palestinian actors, including Amer Hlehel, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees, and Saja Kilani, received a 23-minute standing ovation. Palestinian flags were waved, and slogans were chanted, including the famous "Free Palestine" slogan, which has become a global anthem for peace and justice in the occupied Palestinian territories. The film, which is Tunisia's candidate for the 96th Academy Awards, has been described by Western critics as "the most powerful and urgent film of the festival this year." Hollywood stars such as Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Rooney Mara strongly support the film as executive producers.
