The 46th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), which will take place from November 12 to 21, 2025, will end with a moment of major symbolic and artistic significance for Arab and international cinema. The movie Hind Rajab’s voicethe latest production by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, was chosen to close the festival. Its screening, which will mark its first in Africa, will offer the Egyptian public the opportunity to discover a work already widely acclaimed on the international scene and which, through its story, carries a universal cause: making the voices of Palestinians confronted with colonization and massacre heard.
This selection at the CIFF is part of an exceptional journey. During the 82nd Venice Film Festival, Hind Rajab’s voice won the prestigious Silver Lion – Grand Jury Prizeone of the most coveted distinctions in world cinema, as well as six of the eight prizes awarded in the parallel sections. Critically acclaimed and greeted by a record ovation lasting nearly twenty-four minutes, the film established itself as one of the major works of the year. Beyond Venice, the film was chosen by Tunisia to represent it at the 2026 Oscar for best international filmstrengthening its global recognition and highlighting the role of Kaouther Ben Hania as an ambassador of contemporary Arab cinema.
Tunisian-French co-production, Hind Rajab’s voice skillfully mixes fiction and documentary, drawing inspiration from shocking real events. It tells the story of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl, trapped in a car under intense bombardment in Gaza after losing her family. In these terrifying moments, Hind managed to reach the Palestinian Red Crescent emergency services, while rescue teams struggled to reach his location. The film uses authentic audio recording of this call, providing a gripping cinematic experience where silence, fear and waiting become tangible. The child’s voice, fragile and determined, becomes a universal symbol of innocence in the face of violence and allows the public to grasp, through emotion, the reality of millions of Palestinians whose lives are turned upside down by the conflict.
Kaouther Ben Hania has established himself for more than a decade as an essential figure in contemporary Tunisian and Arab cinema. His deeply committed films sensitively explore major human and social questions, often mixing fiction and documentary to create a cinema that challenges and moves. She was notably recognized for Beauty and the Pack (2017), presented in Cannes, which denounced violence against women in Tunisia, and The Man Who Sold His Skin (2020), selected in Venice And nominated for an Oscar. His documentary Olfa’s daughters, in official competition at Cannes And nominated for an Oscar for best documentaryillustrates his constant interest in stories of individual lives confronted with collective issues. In each of his films, Kaouther Ben Hania highlights often silenced voices, transforming personal experience into universal narrative and offering the viewer deep intellectual and emotional engagement.
Hussein Fahmy, president of the festival, said: “ To present Hind Rajab’s voice as the closing film of this edition reflects the festival’s deep conviction in the role of cinema as a defender of human causes, and particularly the Palestinian cause. It is a moving work that demonstrates how art can become a voice for justice and freedom.»
Mohamed Tarek, artistic director, added: “The selection of Kaouther Ben Hania’s film for the festival finale celebrates the role of Arab cinema in transmitting the voice of Palestine to the world and reaffirms that cinema can be a bridge uniting people and preserving our common memory. The Silver Lion won in Venice further strengthens its international reach and Tunisia’s choice to nominate it for the 2026 Oscars confirms its importance and the excellence of Tunisian cinema . »
The projection ofHind Rajab’s voiceat the closing of CIFF 2025 reminds everyone of the power of art to confront pain and bear witness to injustices. Through the voice of Hind and all children whose childhood was stolen by violence, the film demonstrates that cinema can transform a tragic story into light, offer a voice to those who do not have one and keep hope alive, while encouraging collective reflection on solidarity and humanity.
Neila Driss
