Venice Film Festival: ‘The Voice of Hind’ by Rajab Secures Second Prize

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Film about Palestinian Girl’s Death Wins Silver Lion at Venice Festival

September 7, 2025

A powerful adn harrowing documentary, “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” has been awarded the Silver Lion at the prestigious Venice Film Festival. The film chronicles the tragic killing of five-year-old hind Rajab amid the continuing hostilities in Gaza, offering a stark portrayal of the human cost of conflict.

Directed by French-Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, the film received a remarkable 23-minute standing ovation at its premiere on Wednesday. It utilizes genuine audio recordings from Hind Rajab’s desperate plea for help to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, as she became trapped in a vehicle surrounded by gunfire, alongside family members who were also fatally wounded.

The narrative details the desperate attempts by rescuers to reach Hind, ultimately revealing the heartbreaking loss of her life, and those of the paramedics who sought to save her.The film swiftly became a central point of discussion at the festival,highlighting the devastating realities faced by civilians in the region.

Golden Lion Awarded Amidst Protests and Solidarity

While “the Voice of Hind Rajab” earned the Silver Lion, the Golden lion went to Jim Jarmusch for “Father Mother Sister Brother,” a film starring Cate Blanchett, Adam Driver, and Tom Waits. Jarmusch demonstrated his solidarity with Palestine by wearing a badge bearing the word “Enough” during the award ceremony.

Prior to the awards, Jarmusch expressed concern regarding funding sources for his film, revealing that one of his distributors had received financial backing from a company linked to the Israeli military.This openly demonstrated his concern about the wider implications of the conflict.

Widespread Expressions of Support for Palestine

The outpouring of solidarity with Palestine extended beyond Jarmusch. Numerous award recipients used their platform to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Italian actor Toni Servillo, who won Best Actor for his role in “La Grazia,” voiced his support for activists attempting to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza, describing their actions as a heroic pursuit of humanity.

Director Annapurna Roy, while accepting her award for “songs of Forgotten Trees,” unequivocally stated, “every child deserves peace, freedom, liberation, and Palestine is no exception.” Filmmaker Maryam Touzani, honored with the audience award for “Calle Málaga,” poignantly questioned the number of mothers grieving lost children, demanding an end to the ongoing suffering.

Venice Film Festival: A Launchpad for Oscar Contenders

The Venice Film Festival has long been recognized as a key indicator for Oscar success, with films premiering at the festival consistently garnering numerous nominations and awards. Over the last four years, films showcased in venice have accumulated over 90 Oscar nominations and nearly 20 wins.

Despite strong anticipation, several high-profile films, including those from Netflix – Kathryn Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite,” Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” and Noah Baumbach’s “jay Kelly” – left the festival without accolades. Other notable films, such as “No Other Choice” and “Bugonia,” also did not secure awards.

Award	Film	Director/Actor
Golden Lion	Father Mother Sister Brother	Jim jarmusch
Silver Lion	the voice of Hind Rajab	Kaouther Ben Hania
Best Actor	La Grazia	Toni Servillo
Best Actress	The Sun rises On Us All	Xin Zhilei

The Role of Cinema in Conflict Reporting

The attention garnered by “The Voice of Hind Rajab” underscores the potent ability of filmmaking to humanize complex conflicts and amplify marginalized voices. Documentaries and dramatic interpretations alike can serve as vital records of events, challenging conventional narratives and fostering empathy.

Did You Know? According to a 2023 report by Reporters Without Borders, press freedom is severely restricted in both Israel and Palestine, highlighting the challenges faced by journalists covering the conflict.

Pro Tip: When researching international conflicts, seek out diverse sources of facts, including autonomous media and firsthand accounts, to gain a thorough understanding of the situation.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Venice film Festival and the Film

• What is the significance of the Venice film Festival? The Venice Film Festival is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious film festivals,often launching films into Oscar contention.
• What is the central theme of “The Voice of Hind Rajab”? The film centers on the tragic death of a five-year-old Palestinian girl in Gaza, highlighting the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on civilians.
• Why did Jim Jarmusch wear a badge at the awards ceremony? Jarmusch wore a badge stating “Enough” to express his opposition to the continued conflict in Gaza and the ongoing siege.
• How is the film utilizing audio from the incident? the film uniquely uses real audio recordings of Hind Rajab’s distress call to the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
• What impact did the film have at the festival? “The Voice of Hind Rajab” quickly became the most talked-about film at the Venice Film Festival after receiving a 23-minute standing ovation.

What are your thoughts on the role of art in raising awareness about global conflicts? Share your opinions in the comments below!

What is the Orizzonti section of the Venice Film Festival and why is it important for filmmakers like Rajab?

A Landmark Achievement for Palestinian Cinema

The 79th Venice International Film Festival has concluded, leaving a lasting impact with its diverse and compelling selection of films. Among the most celebrated works was ‘The Voice of Hind’ (صوت هند), directed by Palestinian filmmaker Rajab, which was awarded the prestigious second prize – the Silver Lion – in the Orizzonti section.This recognition marks a significant moment for Palestinian cinema and highlights the growing international attention to stories emerging from the region. The venice Film Festival 2025 continues to be a crucial platform for showcasing global talent.

Understanding ‘The Voice of Hind’

‘The Voice of Hind’ is a poignant and deeply moving short film that centers around the experiences of children affected by conflict. While specific plot details are being closely guarded by the filmmakers to preserve the emotional impact, it’s understood the film utilizes a unique narrative structure, blending documentary-style footage with elements of poetic realism.

Genre: short Film, Drama, Documentary elements

director: rajab

Origin: Palestine

Section: Orizzonti (Venice Film Festival)

Award: Silver Lion – Second Prize

The film’s strength lies in its ability to convey the psychological toll of displacement and trauma on young lives, without resorting to sensationalism. Critics have praised Rajab’s sensitive direction and the powerful performances from the child actors. The Orizzonti section of the Venice film Festival is known for championing innovative and boundary-pushing cinema.

The Significance of the Silver Lion

the Silver Lion award is a major accolade, notably for a short film. It elevates ‘The Voice of Hind’ beyond the festival circuit and into the international spotlight.

Here’s what this award signifies:

1. Increased Visibility: The film will likely gain wider distribution and be screened at other prominent film festivals.
2. Career Boost for Rajab: This award solidifies Rajab’s position as a rising star in Palestinian and international filmmaking.
3. Amplified Voice for Palestinian stories: The recognition helps to bring attention to the ongoing challenges faced by Palestinians and the importance of representing thier narratives on a global stage.
4. Impact on funding: The award can open doors to further funding opportunities for Rajab’s future projects.

Rajab: A Filmmaker to Watch

Rajab is a relatively new name on the international film scene, but ‘The Voice of Hind’ is not his first foray into filmmaking. He has previously directed several short documentaries focusing on social issues within Palestine. His work is characterized by a commitment to authenticity and a refusal to shy away from tough subjects.

Previous Works: Primarily short documentaries exploring themes of displacement, identity, and resilience.

Filmmaking Style: Poetic realism, documentary approach, focus on human stories.

Influences: Often cited as being inspired by the works of Elia Suleiman and other prominent Palestinian filmmakers.

The Broader Context: Palestinian Cinema at venice

Palestinian cinema has a strong and established presence at the Venice film Festival. Over the years, numerous Palestinian films have been selected for competition and have garnered critical acclaim. This year’s success of ‘The Voice of Hind’ builds upon this legacy and demonstrates the continued vitality of Palestinian filmmaking. The Venice Architecture Biennale 2025, running concurrently, further underscores Venice’s role as a global hub for artistic expression.

Were to Learn More & Future Screenings

Currently, data regarding widespread distribution and future screenings of ‘The Voice of hind’ is limited. However, film enthusiasts can stay updated through:

Venice Film Festival Website: https://www.veneziaunica.it/en – Check for updates on award-winning films.

Film Festival News Outlets: Websites like Screen Daily, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter will likely provide coverage of the film’s future screenings.

* Social Media: Follow Rajab and related film organizations on social media for announcements.

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