‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ longlisted for 2026 BAFTAs

“The Voice of Hind Rajab” is directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. (AFP)
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Updated 10 January 2026
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‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ longlisted for 2026 BAFTAs

DUBAI: Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” which is supported by Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Film Foundation, has been longlisted for Best Film Not in English Language and Best Director at the 2026 BAFTA Awards, which were unveiled on Friday.

The film tells the story of Hind Rajab Hamada, who was fleeing the Israeli military in Gaza City with six relatives last year when their car came under fire.

The sole survivor of the Israeli attack, who was then shot and killed, her desperate calls recorded with the Red Crescent rescue service caused international outrage.

The movie has several famous names attached as executive producers, including actors Joaquin Phoenix and Brad Pitt, and Oscar-winning directors Jonathan Glazer (“The Zone of Interest”) and Mexico’s Alfonso Cuaron (“Roma”).

Following the BAFTA longlist reveal, the Red Sea Film Foundation shared its reaction on Instagram, highlighting the film’s impact and journey. “From the very beginning, this film carried an urgency that demanded to be heard,” the foundation wrote. “We’re proud to have supported its journey and to see it continue reaching audiences beyond borders, reminding us why these stories matter and why they need space to be told.”

The movie has also been selected as Tunisia’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards and has earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture — Non-English Language.

The 83rd Golden Globes takes place on Jan. 11.


Bella Hadid dazzles in archival Georges Chakra

Updated 15 February 2026
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Bella Hadid dazzles in archival Georges Chakra

DUBAI: American Dutch Palestinian supermodel Bella Hadid glittered as she stepped out in a stone-detail dress from Lebanese label Georges Chakra when she attended a Valentine’s Day dinner in Los Angeles for her perfume brand Orebella.

A post shared on Orabella’s Instagram Stories on Friday announced: “Last night, we gathered with friends to celebrate the season of love and connection.”

The Lebanese couturier’s official Instagram side also shared some looks, captioning the post: “@BellaHadid stepped out in an archival #GeorgesChakra Couture look from the Spring/Summer 2003 collection for a Valentine’s Day dinner celebrating her brand Orebella.

“The sheer scarlet silk chiffon dress features a fitted bodice and a fluid column skirt, finished with a softly ruffled knee length hem.”

Meanwhile, at the end of last year, Hadid launched Orebella in the Middle East by introducing Ulta Beauty in Kuwait and Dubai.

In June last year, Ulta Beauty awarded the fragrance brand its prestigious Conscious Brand of the Year title, recognizing the label’s commitment to clean ingredients, ethical practices and sustainable packaging.

Orebella, which launched in 2024 with a sell-out line of clean fragrance mists, is rooted in Hadid’s love of scent layering, spirituality and beauty rituals.

Hadid wrote on her website at the time: “For me, fragrance has always been at the center of my life — helping me feel in charge of who I am and my surroundings. From my home to nostalgic memories, to my own energy and connection with others, scent has been an outlet for me. It made me feel safe in my own world.”

The alcohol-free scents of Orebella were Hadid’s answer to traditional perfumes.

“Through my healing journey, I found that I was extremely sensitive to the alcohol in traditional perfumes — both physically and mentally — it became something that was more overwhelming than calming to me,” she added. “That is the main reason I wanted to find an alternative, so essential oils became an artistic and experimental process for me.”

Last month, Hadid took part in a fundraising concert, Artists for Aid, in Los Angeles to support humanitarian relief efforts in Palestine and Sudan, which she co-hosted with Chilean-American actor Pedro Pascal, a longtime advocate for humanitarian causes.

The concert was led by Sudanese-Canadian poet Mustafa and brought together musicians, actors and activists in a show of solidarity.