Film fest to showcase movie on Gaza

A NEW film about the killing of a five-year-old Palestinian girl by Israeli forces in Gaza last year was set to screen at the Venice Film Festival yesterday, after drawing backing from Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix.

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The Gaza conflict has been a major talking point at the 2025 Italian cinema extravaganza, with thousands of protesters marching to the gates of the event at the weekend, shouting: “Stop the genocide!”

An open letter calling on festival organisers to denounce the Israeli government has gone unheeded, but has been signed by around 2 000 cinema insiders, according to the organisers.

The screening of The Voice of Hind Rajab yesterday was expected to showcase one of the most hotly awaited and political movies in the running for the top prize at the 11-day event.

Directed by Franco-Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, it has attracted Pitt, Phoenix and The Zone of Interest director Jonathan Glazer, who have lent their support as executive producers.