The film is produced by Kaouther Ben Hania’s longtime collaborator Nadim Cheikhrouha through his companies Mime Films and Tanit Films.
The Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF) has announced that Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s drama The Voice of Hind Rajab will serve as the Closing Film of its 46th edition. The film will have its African premiere on November 21, 2025, marking the conclusion of the festival, which runs from 12 to 21 November under the auspices of Egypt’s Ministry of Culture.
The selection follows the film’s recent triumph at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it earned the Silver Lion – Grand Jury Prize. The film’s Venice premiere was met with widespread critical praise and an emotional 21-minute standing ovation, confirming its place as one of the most significant cinematic works of the year.
A co-production between Tunisia and France, The Voice of Hind Rajab is a deeply moving film that blends fiction and documentary to recount a real-life tragedy. It tells the story of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl trapped in a car amid relentless shelling in Gaza after losing her family. As she desperately called the Palestinian Red Crescent for help, rescue teams struggled to reach her under fire. Using the authentic audio recording of Hind’s call, Ben Hania crafts a poignant and haunting cinematic experience that transforms the child’s voice into a universal symbol of innocence facing unimaginable violence.
Festival president Hussein Fahmy said: “Presenting The Voice of Hind Rajab as the closing film of this year’s edition reflects the festival’s deep belief in cinema’s role in defending human causes, foremost among them the Palestinian cause. It is a profoundly moving work that demonstrates how art can serve as a voice for justice and freedom.”
Artistic director Mohamed Tarek added: “Selecting Kaouther Ben Hania’s film for the festival’s finale celebrates the role of Arab cinema in carrying the voice of Palestine to the world and reaffirms that cinema can be a bridge uniting peoples and preserving our shared memory. Its prestigious Silver Lion win in Venice further elevates its global significance and makes us even prouder to present it in Cairo.”
With The Voice of Hind Rajab closing this year’s edition, CIFF reaffirms its belief in cinema as a force for empathy, memory and resilience. The film’s presence at the festival stands as a tribute to art’s enduring ability to confront pain, honour innocence and shed light in the face of darkness—keeping alive the voice of Hind and all children whose lives have been scarred by violence.
