'The Voice of Hind Rajab' gets longest standing ovation at Venice

The Voice of Hind Rajab premiered at the Venice Film Festival 2025, and turned out to be a huge emotional event after it received an over 20-minute standing ovation by the attendees after screening.

The movie is directed by Tunisian director Kouther Ben Hania. It tells the story of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, who was killed in the early stages of the war in Gaza. The standing ovation was the longest of the festival so far. The film is expected to be a frontrunner for the Golden Lion at the festival.

The film recounts the tale of Rajab while she was fleeing with her family from Gaza City in January 2024. The car Rajab was travelling in was shelled, killing her uncle, aunt, and three cousins.

She was left stranded for hours while on the phone with the Palestinian Red Cross Society as paramedics attempted to rescue her. When she was eventually reached, Rajab and the paramedics were found dead. Media investigations concluded that an Israeli tank had likely fired 335 rounds into the car. The phone recording of Rajab's voice is used in the film. The Voice of Hind Rajab was boarded by Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara as producers. Phoenix and Mara were present at the press conference to show their support.