Oscar Campaign for ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ Faces Smear Campaign

An Oscar-nominated documentary-drama, ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab,’ is facing a concerted effort to discredit it as it nears the final voting stage for the Best International Feature Film award. The film, which depicts the tragic killing of six-year-ancient Hind Rajab by the Israel Defense Forces during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, has become a focal point of controversy, with accusations of propaganda being leveled against it.

Film Details and Synopsis

‘The Voice of Hind Rajab,’ written and directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, follows the Red Crescent’s response to the events surrounding Hind Rajab’s death. The film meticulously details the events of January 29, 2024, when Hind and her family attempted to escape violence in Gaza, only to be met with fatal fire from the Israeli military. The film also highlights the subsequent deaths of the paramedics who were attempting to rescue her, killed just hundreds of meters from Hind’s location. The film stars Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Amer Hlehel, and Clara Khoury. It is a co-production between Tunisia and France.

The Smear Campaign and CCFP Involvement

The Creative Community for Peace (CCFP), an organization based in Los Angeles, is at the center of the campaign to undermine the film. The CCFP has labeled ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ as “propaganda” and “manipulation,” questioning the circumstances of Hind Rajab’s death. Despite describing itself as “apolitical,” the CCFP has ties to a pro-Israel organization that has previously worked to suppress speech in the United States.

The CCFP’s advisory board and networking committee include professionals from major entertainment companies such as Warner Bros., Sony, Atlantic Records, and Amazon. The organization’s annual gala has received sponsorship from individuals and foundations linked to controversial figures, including Len Blavatnik, a Russian oligarch, and Casey Wasserman, chairman of the Los Angeles organizing committee for the 2028 Olympics – both of whom are named in the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Executive Producer Support

Despite the smear campaign, ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ has garnered support from prominent figures in the entertainment industry. Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, and Jonathan Glazer are among the film’s executive producers.

Awards and Recognition

‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2025, where it won the Grand Jury Prize and six other awards. It was released in Tunisia on September 10, 2025, and in France on November 26, 2025. The film has also been nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards as the Tunisian entry and for Best Non-English Language Film at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards.

Director’s Protest

Director Kaouther Ben Hania recently refused to accept an award at the Cinema for Peace gala in Berlin, leaving her trophy on stage to protest against international political support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. She framed her move as a call for justice and accountability for the killing of Hind Rajab and the two paramedics who attempted to rescue her.

Ben Hania stated that Hind Rajab’s death was not an isolated incident but part of a systematic genocide, criticizing those who characterize civilian deaths as “self-defense” or the result of “complex circumstances.”

Final voting for the Oscars concludes on Thursday evening.