The Tunisian-French co-production “The Voice of hind Rajab,” a critically acclaimed docudrama centered on the tragic death of six-year-old Hind Rajab in Gaza, is set for a wide release across the Arab world beginning December 17th [[2]]. The film,which premiered at the venice Film Festival and has as garnered numerous awards including the Grand Prize at the Ghent Film Festival [[3]], recounts the desperate attempts by Red Crescent personnel to rescue Hind after she became trapped in a car during fighting earlier this year. This rollout is part of the CineMAD initiative, a new program designed to bring prominent Arab films to theaters across the region [[3]].
The Tunisian-French co-production “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” an Oscar contender, is expanding its reach with a wide theatrical release across the Arab world as part of a cinema initiative promoting Arab films, with Saudi Arabia leading the way with the most screenings.
Pan-Arab Rollout
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The film’s exhibition program encompasses 12 Arab nations – Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Syria – alongside major Arab capitals and cities, over a three-month period.
Saudi Arabia Leads the Way
“The Voice of Hind Rajab” will be shown in 51 cinemas throughout the Kingdom, the highest number of any participating country. Egypt will host screenings in 22 theaters, the UAE in 37, Qatar and Iraq with 12 each, Oman and Bahrain with 9 apiece, Kuwait with 8, Jordan with 6, and Syria with a single screening location.
A Powerful Human Story
The film tells the story of six-year-old Hind Rajab, who became trapped in a car under fire during events in Gaza on January 29, 2024, as Red Crescent volunteers desperately attempted to rescue her. The film is based on a true story.
Behind the Scenes
“The Voice of Hind Rajab” is written and directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, and stars Saja Kilani, Moatez Mellahis, Clara Khoury, and Amer Hlihel. It’s a Tunisian-French co-production, with international teams collaborating on cinematography, editing, and the original score.
Critical Acclaim and Awards
The film premiered internationally at the Venice Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation and took home seven awards. It has since been featured in over 15 international festivals, earning numerous accolades, including the Grand Prize for Best Film of 2025 at the Ghent Film Festival in Belgium.
Key Cities Hosting Screenings
The theatrical release includes major Arab cities such as Cairo and Alexandria, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, Doha, Muscat, Manama, Baghdad, and Amman. Additional screenings will be held in Dammam, Al-Ahsa, Taif, Tabuk, Abha, Jazan, and Medina, ensuring the film reaches a broad audience across the region.
The release of “The Voice of Hind Rajab” comes at a time of increased global attention on cinema from the Middle East and North Africa. The film’s powerful narrative and critical success are poised to resonate with audiences throughout the Arab world and beyond, sparking important conversations about the human cost of conflict.
