Venice, Italy: Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s latest work, ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’, drew the longest standing ovation of this year’s Venice Film Festival, earning more than 20 minutes of applause after its premiere.

The emotional screening centred on the story of Hind Rajab, a 5-year-old Palestinian girl killed during the early stages of the Gaza war, left many in the audience visibly moved. Variety reported that the film has emerged as a frontrunner for the Golden Lion, the festival’s top prize.

The movie recounts Rajab’s final hours in January 2024, when she and her family attempted to flee Gaza City. Their car was shelled, killing her uncle, aunt and three cousins. Rajab, the only survivor at that point, remained trapped in the vehicle, speaking with the Palestinian Red Cross Society by phone as paramedics tried to reach her. Hours later, she and the paramedics sent to save her were found dead. Media investigations concluded that an Israeli tank likely fired 335 rounds into the car.

The film incorporates actual recordings of Hind’s phone calls but presents the events through a fictionalised Red Crescent team attempting to organise her rescue.

Hollywood stars Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara, who serve as executive producers on the project, attended the premiere, holding a photo of Rajab on the red carpet alongside the film’s creative team. The pair also appeared at a press conference earlier in the day to express their support for the project, which they joined earlier this year alongside Brad Pitt as part of the production team.

The screening marked one of the most powerful moments of the 82nd Venice Film Festival, currently taking place on the Lido barrier island until 6 September. In recent days, the festival has also featured other high-profile premieres, including Dwayne Johnson’s ‘The Smashing Machine’.