Two films about the Israel-Gaza war will compete for the Best European Film award at the prestigious European Film Awards, set to take place in Berlin this January. The films, 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' and 'With Hassan in Gaza', are nominated alongside the animated film 'Arco', produced by Natalie Portman.
'The Voice of Hind Rajab', directed by Tunisian-born French filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, is a feature film about a five-year-old Gazan girl who was killed in January 2024 by IDF fire. It stars Clara Khoury, a Palestinian actress born in Haifa, and follows the true story of Hind Rajab, who was killed alongside her family. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival and received a standing ovation of over 20 minutes at its premiere, with Palestinian flags waving in the audience.
'With Hassan in Gaza', directed by Palestinian filmmaker Kamal Aljafari, is a documentary that draws on footage shot in Gaza in 2000. Aljafari describes it as a tribute to Gaza and its people, a film about the disaster and the poetry that resists it. It is also in the running for Best European Documentary.
Other notable films in the Best European Film category include 'Sentimental Value', a moving comedy-drama by Norwegian director Joachim Trier, and 'It Was Just An Accident', a French production directed by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, set in Iran and following characters seeking revenge. However, the acclaimed Israeli film 'Yes' by director Nadav Lapid, which was on the initial list of 40 films, did not make the final nominations.
The European Film Awards will see Israeli films and creators compete against strong contenders, with 'Arco' and 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' among the top contenders for the Best Film award. The ceremony will also recognize outstanding performances, with Idan Weiss, an up-and-coming Israeli-origin actor, nominated for Best European Actor for his portrayal of Franz Kafka.
