Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s new film “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” centered on the Palestinian crisis, has secured a place in the final nominations for the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September last year to record-breaking standing ovations, will compete in the Best International Feature Film category. The Oscars ceremony is scheduled for March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in California, with the final nominations announced on January 22.

Alongside Tunisia’s entry, the category includes films from Brazil, France, Norway, and Spain. Despite submissions from seven African countries, Tunisia is the only one to reach the final list. This marks Ben Hania’s third Oscar nomination, following previous recognition for “The Man Who Sold His Skin” (2020) and “Four Daughters” (2023). She remains the only Tunisian filmmaker to receive multiple Oscar nominations.

“The Voice of Hind Rajab” depicts the January 2024 Gaza attack that killed five-year-old Hind Rajab, her relatives, and paramedics. The film’s executive producers include Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuarón, and Jonathan Glazer.

Tunisian President Kais Saied has summoned the European Union’s ambassador, Giuseppe Perrone, accusing him of violating diplomatic protocol. The president’s office issued a brief statement confirming the summons but did not provide details about the alleged breach. The move follows Perrone’s meeting with Noureddine Taboubi, head of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), a group that has been critical of Saied’s government. EU representatives in Tunis said Perrone had praised the UGTT’s role, while Taboubi called for stronger cooperation between Tunisia and the EU. The UGTT, part of the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize-winning National Dialogue Quartet, remains a key political player and one of Saied’s main domestic critics. Since taking power in 2021, Saied has faced accusations of authoritarianism and has imprisoned several opponents. The diplomatic tension highlights growing friction between Tunisia and the EU amid concerns over governance and political freedoms.