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MAD’s THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB and PALESTINE 36 make the 98th Oscars’ shortlist
17 December 2025
MAD proudly announces that two films from its slate, THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB by Kaouther Ben Hania and PALESTINE 36 by Annemarie Jacir, have been officially shortlisted for the Academy Awards, marking a historic moment for Palestinian and Arab cinema on the global stage.
This announcement coincides with both films’ participation at the 36th Carthage Film Festival, as well as their inclusion in CineMAD, MAD Solutions’ initiative bringing Arab films to cinemas across the region. THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB is now available in cinemas in Egypt and Palestine, with other Arab territories following tomorrow, Thursday, while PALESTINE 36 will premiere in Egypt on Wednesday, December 31st, followed by screenings across the GCC starting the following Thursday.
MAD Solutions’ track record in distributing films representing Arab countries at the Oscars includes a remarkable lineup of distinguished titles. Among them are the Palestinian film OMAR (2013), the Palestinian short AVE MARIA (2015), Jordan’s first Oscar shortlist nominee THEEB (2014), the Saudi film BARAKAH MEETS BARAKAH (2016), the Palestinian film 3000 NIGHTS (2015), the Egyptian film CLASH (2016), the Italian film A CIAMBRA (2017), the Iraqi film THE JOURNEY (2019), the Polish film CORPUS CHRISTI (2019), the Palestinian film GAZA MON AMOUR (2021), THE STRANGER (2022), the Tunisian film UNDER THE FIG TREES (2023), the Sudanese film GOODBYE JULIA (2024), the Jordanian film INSHALLAH A BOY (2024), and the Algerian film ALGIERS (2025).
Kaouther Ben Hania’s docudrama THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB, based on the harrowing true story of six-year-old Hind Rajab from Gaza, continues its powerful international journey following its acclaimed MENA premiere at the Marrakech International Film Festival. The film recently made its Arab World debut at the Doha Film Festival, where it once again deeply moved audiences with its emotional intensity and urgent human narrative.
Executive produced by Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuarón, alongside Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Jemima Khan, Frank Giustra, and Sabine Getty, the film was screened to packed houses and received sustained applause for its devastating portrayal of Hind’s final hours and the heroic efforts of the Palestinian Red Crescent volunteers who tried to save her. Drawing on real-life voice recordings between Hind and the volunteers, the film offers an unflinching and intimate account of a tragedy that resonated worldwide.
THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB has already garnered major international recognition, winning multiple awards at the Venice Film Festival, including the Silver Lion, UNICEF Award, Edipo Re Award, Arca Cinema Giovani Award, and the CICT-UNESCO Enrico Fulchignoni Award. Starring Amer Hlehel, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees, and Saja Kilani, the film was shot in Tunisia and is handled for worldwide sales by The Party Film Sales, with CAA Media Finance co-representing North American rights. MAD Distribution manages theatrical and cultural rights across the Arab World. The film is produced by Nadim Cheikhrouha, Odessa Rae, and James Wilson through Mime Films and Tanit Films, in collaboration with the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Alongside it, Annemarie Jacir’s historical epic PALESTINE 36 has also been officially shortlisted for the Academy Awards, following its celebrated Arab World premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival, where it was met with a packed house and enthusiastic reception.
Set against the backdrop of Mandate Palestine, PALESTINE 36 revisits the events leading up to the Arab Revolt of 1936, following Yusuf as he navigates between his rural village and Jerusalem amid rising unrest, British colonial rule, and mounting historical tensions that would reshape the region’s future. The film’s Red Sea premiere followed a standout festival journey, including a sold-out world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Audience Award at São Paulo International Film Festival, Best Film at Tokyo International Film Festival, and a shortlist placement for the European Film Awards.
A major international co-production between Palestine, the UK, France, Denmark, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, PALESTINE 36 features an exceptional ensemble cast including Hiam Abbass, Kamel El Basha, Saleh Bakri, Yasmine Al-Massri, Jeremy Irons, Dhafer L’Abidine, Billy Howle, Liam Cunningham, Robert Aramayo, Jalal Altawil, alongside emerging Palestinian talent. The film is produced by Ossama Bawardi with an international team of co-producers, cinematography by Hélène Louvart, music by Ben Frost, and is distributed in the Arab World by MAD Distribution.
With both films advancing in the Oscars shortlist, MAD celebrates a moment of collective pride — one that underscores the power of Arab cinema to tell urgent, human stories with global impact. Together, THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB and PALESTINE 36 stand as bold cinematic testaments to resilience, memory, and the enduring strength of Palestinian voices on the world stage.
This announcement coincides with both films’ participation at the 36th Carthage Film Festival, as well as their inclusion in CineMAD, MAD Solutions’ initiative bringing Arab films to cinemas across the region. THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB is now available in cinemas in Egypt and Palestine, with other Arab territories following tomorrow, Thursday, while PALESTINE 36 will premiere in Egypt on Wednesday, December 31st, followed by screenings across the GCC starting the following Thursday.
MAD Solutions’ track record in distributing films representing Arab countries at the Oscars includes a remarkable lineup of distinguished titles. Among them are the Palestinian film OMAR (2013), the Palestinian short AVE MARIA (2015), Jordan’s first Oscar shortlist nominee THEEB (2014), the Saudi film BARAKAH MEETS BARAKAH (2016), the Palestinian film 3000 NIGHTS (2015), the Egyptian film CLASH (2016), the Italian film A CIAMBRA (2017), the Iraqi film THE JOURNEY (2019), the Polish film CORPUS CHRISTI (2019), the Palestinian film GAZA MON AMOUR (2021), THE STRANGER (2022), the Tunisian film UNDER THE FIG TREES (2023), the Sudanese film GOODBYE JULIA (2024), the Jordanian film INSHALLAH A BOY (2024), and the Algerian film ALGIERS (2025).
Kaouther Ben Hania’s docudrama THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB, based on the harrowing true story of six-year-old Hind Rajab from Gaza, continues its powerful international journey following its acclaimed MENA premiere at the Marrakech International Film Festival. The film recently made its Arab World debut at the Doha Film Festival, where it once again deeply moved audiences with its emotional intensity and urgent human narrative.
Executive produced by Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuarón, alongside Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Jemima Khan, Frank Giustra, and Sabine Getty, the film was screened to packed houses and received sustained applause for its devastating portrayal of Hind’s final hours and the heroic efforts of the Palestinian Red Crescent volunteers who tried to save her. Drawing on real-life voice recordings between Hind and the volunteers, the film offers an unflinching and intimate account of a tragedy that resonated worldwide.
THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB has already garnered major international recognition, winning multiple awards at the Venice Film Festival, including the Silver Lion, UNICEF Award, Edipo Re Award, Arca Cinema Giovani Award, and the CICT-UNESCO Enrico Fulchignoni Award. Starring Amer Hlehel, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees, and Saja Kilani, the film was shot in Tunisia and is handled for worldwide sales by The Party Film Sales, with CAA Media Finance co-representing North American rights. MAD Distribution manages theatrical and cultural rights across the Arab World. The film is produced by Nadim Cheikhrouha, Odessa Rae, and James Wilson through Mime Films and Tanit Films, in collaboration with the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Alongside it, Annemarie Jacir’s historical epic PALESTINE 36 has also been officially shortlisted for the Academy Awards, following its celebrated Arab World premiere at the Red Sea International Film Festival, where it was met with a packed house and enthusiastic reception.
Set against the backdrop of Mandate Palestine, PALESTINE 36 revisits the events leading up to the Arab Revolt of 1936, following Yusuf as he navigates between his rural village and Jerusalem amid rising unrest, British colonial rule, and mounting historical tensions that would reshape the region’s future. The film’s Red Sea premiere followed a standout festival journey, including a sold-out world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Audience Award at São Paulo International Film Festival, Best Film at Tokyo International Film Festival, and a shortlist placement for the European Film Awards.
A major international co-production between Palestine, the UK, France, Denmark, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, PALESTINE 36 features an exceptional ensemble cast including Hiam Abbass, Kamel El Basha, Saleh Bakri, Yasmine Al-Massri, Jeremy Irons, Dhafer L’Abidine, Billy Howle, Liam Cunningham, Robert Aramayo, Jalal Altawil, alongside emerging Palestinian talent. The film is produced by Ossama Bawardi with an international team of co-producers, cinematography by Hélène Louvart, music by Ben Frost, and is distributed in the Arab World by MAD Distribution.
With both films advancing in the Oscars shortlist, MAD celebrates a moment of collective pride — one that underscores the power of Arab cinema to tell urgent, human stories with global impact. Together, THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB and PALESTINE 36 stand as bold cinematic testaments to resilience, memory, and the enduring strength of Palestinian voices on the world stage.
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