Tunisian Director of 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' Appointed to Venice Film Festival 2026 Jury

Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania has been selected as a member of the international competition jury for the 2026 Venice International Film Festival, further cementing her position as one of the most influential and internationally recognised contemporary Arab filmmakers. Ben Hania will join jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal in determining the festival’s top awards, including the prestigious Golden Lion for best film. The 38th edition of the festival is scheduled to take place in Venice, Italy, from 2 to 12 September. The jury also includes British composer and artist Daniel Blumberg, Hong Kong filmmaker Johnnie To, French director Xavier Giannoli, Afghan filmmaker Shahrbanoo Sadat, and Italian media academic Francesco Casetti. The appointment comes amid growing international recognition for Ben Hania’s work. Her latest feature film, ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’, about a Palestinian child, won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival last year. The film tells the story of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old girl killed by Israeli forces while attempting to flee Gaza City with her family in 2024. Set in a single location, the entire narrative is built around original audio recordings of Hind’s voice. Hind had called the Red Crescent emergency services while trapped in a car with her deceased family. The operator tried to calm her and dispatched an ambulance, but neither Hind nor the rescue team survived. Accepting the award last year, Ben Hania stated that Hind Rajab’s story was not just about one child, but about an entire nation experiencing genocide. ‘Cinematography cannot bring Hind back, nor can it erase the cruelty she endured. But cinema can immortalise her voice, making it echo across borders. Her voice will continue to resonate until justice is served,’ she said, as quoted by Al Jazeera. The film, also produced by Joaquin Phoenix, received an overwhelming response at its premiere, earning a 23-minute standing ovation, with many critics and media outlets deeming it worthy of the top Golden Lion prize.