Tunisia’s submission for the 2026 Oscars in the Best International Feature category is generating significant buzz.
The Voice of Hind Rajab: Tunisia’s 2026 Oscars Entry
Tunisia’s submission for the 2026 Oscars in the Best International Feature category is generating significant buzz. Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania (Four Daughters, The Man Who Sold His Skin), The Voice of Hind Rajab premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it received a historic 22-minute standing ovation, setting a festival record and establishing itself as one of the season’s most talked-about contenders.
Ben Hania’s Award Journey
This film marks Ben Hania’s return to the awards circuit following her 2024 Oscar nomination for Four Daughters in the Best Documentary Feature category. Tunisia made history with her 2020 film The Man Who Sold His Skin, which became the country’s first nominee for Best International Feature.
Hollywood Support
The film has garnered substantial support from Hollywood, with executive producers including Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuarón, Jonathan Glazer, and Pitt’s Plan B partners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner. Phoenix and Mara attended the Venice premiere alongside one of the film’s stars, Motaz Malhees, who carried a portrait of Hind Rajab, the 6-year-old girl central to the story.
What is the Film About?
The Voice of Hind Rajab is a poignant drama based on the real-life tragedy of Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed during the Gaza conflict. In January 2024, while fleeing Gaza City with her family, Hind’s car was shelled, leaving her stranded.
The film incorporates Hind’s actual recorded voice from her emergency call with the Palestine Red Crescent Society, capturing her desperate pleas for help as paramedics tried to rescue her. Tragically, when responders reached the scene, both Hind and the medics were found dead. Unable to film in Gaza, Ben Hania reconstructed the Red Crescent call center and cast Palestinian actors to portray the responders, with Hind’s verified audio forming the emotional core of the film.
Behind the Camera
Oscar nominee Kaouther Ben Hania wrote and directed the film, with cinematography by Juan Sarmiento G (A Poet, Islands) and music by Amine Bouhafa (Gagarine, Timbuktu). The film is produced by Nadim Cheikhrouha, Odessa Rae, and James Wilson. Executive producers include industry heavyweights such as Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix.
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U.S. Release Plans
While an official release date has not been announced, a late 2025 rollout is anticipated to maximize visibility ahead of the 2026 Oscars. Following its premiere in Venice on September 3, the film will make its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7.
Currently, there is no U.S. distribution deal in place. The film’s sensitive subject matter may pose challenges for distributors. Last year’s Best Documentary Feature winner, No Other Land, which chronicled the destruction of the occupied West Bank’s Masafer Yatta, struggled to secure U.S. distribution and ultimately launched its own theatrical release. However, the involvement of high-profile executive producers significantly increases the likelihood of securing a stateside deal for The Voice of Hind Rajab.
Cast Highlights
The film features an all-Palestinian cast, including Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Clara Khoury, and Amer Hlehel. At the Venice press conference, Kilani read a poignant statement on behalf of the filmmaking team, emphasizing: “Hind’s story carries the weight of an entire people… Her voice is one among thousands of children who lost their lives in Gaza. Beyond every number is a story that never got to be told.”
Oscar Prospects
With its acclaim from Venice, emotionally charged narrative, and backing from industry heavyweights, The Voice of Hind Rajab has emerged as a strong contender for Best International Feature. Ben Hania’s growing recognition, bolstered by Oscar nominations for both Four Daughters and The Man Who Sold His Skin, further enhances the film’s campaign.
Given the Academy’s increasingly international membership, the film could also compete in other major categories, including Best Director and Best Picture. It currently boasts a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is nominated for the Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion, an honor that has historically propelled films like Poor Things and Nomadland into the awards spotlight.
