Kaouther Ben Hania

Kaouther Ben Hania is a Tunisian filmmaker whose recent work, 'The Voice of Hind Rajab,' has brought her into the news. The docudrama reconstructs the killing of a five-year-old Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, in Gaza and has been nominated for an Academy Award. Ben Hania has stated that creating the film was a way to cope with feelings of helplessness regarding the situation in Gaza. She has also garnered attention for her political activism. In February 2026, she refused to accept an award at a Berlin event, leaving the trophy on stage to protest what she views as international political cover for Israel's actions in Gaza. This act highlights a growing backlash within the film industry against perceived silence on the Palestinian issue. Her film's Oscar nomination and her public protest underscore the intersection of art, activism, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.