The Oscar-nominated The Voice of Hind Rajab, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, first drew international attention when it premiered in the main competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2025, where it won the Grand Jury Prize along with six additional parallel awards. As the film continued gaining recognition across the global awards circuit, its momentum reached Hollywood with a nomination for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.

However, ahead of the ceremony, the spotlight has also turned toward one of the film’s Palestinian actors, who revealed he has been barred from entering the United States to attend the event.

Motaz Malhees, who portrays Omar A. Alqam in The Voice of Hind Rajab, recently took to Instagram ahead of the ceremony to share that despite the nomination and his role in the story, he will not be able to attend the Oscars. The actor explained that he is not permitted to enter the United States due to his Palestinian citizenship.

"I am not allowed to enter the United. States because of my Palestinian citizenship. It hurts. But here is the truth, You can block a passport, You cannot block a voice," Malhees shared on his Instagram. 

Adding to his message, Malhees further added that while he cannot be present in person, his spirit will be with the team behind The Voice of Hind Rajab on the night of the ceremony. However, despite the growing attention around the situation, the film continues to make a strong impression on audiences. The film has received notable appreciation following its festival run and awards-season recognition, currently holding 96% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 84 out of 100.

Conan O’Brien Hints at Emotional Oscars Tribute for Rob Reiner

As the discussion around the Oscars appearance continues, here is a closer look at the film The Voice of Hind Rajab and the details behind its journey through the global awards season.

With strong recognition during the film circuit at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, the Oscar-nominated The Voice of Hind Rajab is based on a real-life incident and features the recorded voice of six-year-old Hind Rajab. The film follows the haunting voice of a six-year-old girl reaching out from amid collapsing surroundings, where rumbling walls and smoke blur the sky, her fragile yet determined call threading a lifeline through the chaos to distant voices trying to guide her to safety.

Running for 89 minutes and built around real audio recordings, The Voice of Hind Rajab features a cast including Motaz Malhees, who portrays Omar A. Alqam, alongside Saja Kilani, Amer Hlehel, and Clara Khoury. The documentary, which has drawn significant attention since its festival run, is not available on Netflix’s vast catalog, but can be watched at home through digital and on-demand platforms.

Despite the ongoing discussion surrounding Motaz Malhees’s situation, the Oscar-nominated The Voice of Hind Rajab ultimately stands as more than a film, a reminder that this is not merely a story, but a piece of history that the world cannot afford to look away from.

“Haven’t Seen Half of the Films”: Oscars Voter Says They Refused to Watch, Calling the Academy ‘Irrelevant’ Despite New Rules

What are your thoughts on Motaz Malhees from The Voice of Hind Rajab revealing his US entry situation ahead of the 98th Academy Awards? Let us know in the comments.