“Sawt Hind Rajab”: A Unique Blend of Drama and Documentary Kawthar Ben Hania Expresses Her Joy Over the Film’s Oscar Finalist Achievement

The Tunisian film "Sawt Hind Rajab" has achieved a new milestone for Arab and international cinema, qualifying for the final list of films nominated for the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film, highlighting the excellence of Tunisian cinema on the global stage.

The nomination comes as part of a shortlist that also includes: "The Secret Agent" – Brazil, "A Simple Event" – France, "Emotional Value" – Norway, and "Sirat" – Spain, with the winner to be announced at the Oscars ceremony scheduled for March 15, 2026.

Kawthar Ben Hania expressed her excitement on Facebook, noting that the nomination belongs first to Hind Rajab, the team involved in the film, and Tunisia, whose cinema represents a continuous presence and message on the international scene. She added: "I am honored that Hind’s voice is among these films from around the world, not just as a symbol, but as a documentation of a true event and history."

The film presents a unique blend of drama and documentary, telling the story of the 6-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who died during the Israeli war on Gaza, with authentic recordings of Palestinian rescue attempts to save her.

The cast includes Saja Kilani, Moataz Melhis, Amer Halihil, and Clara Khoury. The film premiered globally at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, winning the Silver Lion for Best Film, and later screened at festivals in Cairo, Doha, Red Sea, and Carthage.

The Palestinian production team emphasized that the film raises the voice of Palestine and Gaza globally, stressing that preserving Hind’s real voice adds credibility and rare dramatic power.

The nomination also reflects the success of Arab cinema internationally, with four Arab films reaching the shortlist out of 15 films: “Palestine 36” – Palestine, “What Remains of You” – Jordan, “The President’s Cake” – Iraq, and “Sawt Hind Rajab” – Tunisia.

This is the third Oscar nomination for Tunisian director Kawthar Ben Hania after her successful films “The Man Who Sold His Back” (2021) and “Alfa Girls” (2024), reflecting her sustained success in global cinema.