Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab premiered in main competition at Venice with an expanded roster of executive producers that includes Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix, boosting the profile of the Gaza-set drama ahead of a North American premiere at Toronto. The feature is built around the real emergency calls placed by six-year-old Hind Rajab during a January 2024 siege in Gaza City and has been selected as Tunisia’s submission for the international feature Oscar.
The film confines its action to the Palestine Red Crescent Society’s dispatch center, using the child’s recorded voice while actors portray the first responders. Festival listings confirm an 89–90 minute running time and a cast led by Amer Hlehel, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees and Saja Kilani. Producers include James Wilson and Odessa Rae, with Pitt and Phoenix joining a circle of high-profile backers in the days leading up to Venice. North American distribution has not yet been announced.
Ben Hania has said the decision to move quickly on the project came after hearing the full recording of Hind’s plea for help. Independent reporting and festival coverage recount that the girl, five family members and two medics were later found dead; a United Nations inquiry concluded Israeli forces destroyed the car and killed the medics, while the military has said the incident remains under review. The director, a two-time Oscar nominee, frames the story through procedure and time pressure rather than graphic imagery.
The Venice berth places the film alongside marquee titles while Toronto positions it for broader industry attention as a Special Presentations selection. Organizers list additional public and pass-holder screenings at Venice this week, with the Toronto schedule noting the North American premiere during the festival’s first days. The back-to-back showcases, combined with the late-stage arrival of prominent executive producers, signal significant awards ambitions for a drama that centers institutional response, media audio and a child’s voice that has circulated worldwide since early 2024.
