Saja Kilani, a 28-year-old Jordanian-Palestinian-Canadian actress and poet, recently experienced a significant milestone when she attended the 2026 Academy Awards as part of the ensemble cast of “The Voice of Hind Rajab.” The film, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, received a nomination for best international feature. The experience held particular resonance for Kilani, who recalled receiving a graduation cake from a friend at Toronto Film School that humorously predicted an Oscar appearance—a moment that took on new meaning years later.
“The Voice of Hind Rajab” dramatizes the true story of a 5-year-old girl trapped in a vehicle under fire in Gaza and her communications seeking rescue. Kilani portrays Rana Faqih, a Palestine Red Crescent Society volunteer who remained on the telephone with the child during her final hours. For the actress, the role combined both creative and personal significance. She described her approach as one of deep listening, learning about Faqih through the volunteer’s own perspective, and allowing that understanding to inform her performance. Following production, Kilani maintained contact with Faqih, and the two have developed a friendship, reuniting at a screening in Jordan as the film progressed through its international distribution.
The film gained recognition across multiple major award circuits and international festivals, including nominations at the Golden Globes and BAFTAs. This expanded visibility extended the reach of Hind’s story beyond its region of origin. Kilani described the Academy Awards experience as meaningful, particularly for the opportunity to bring attention to a voice that had been silenced. Hart Massey, director of the Acting for Film, TV & the Theatre program at Toronto Film School, characterized Kilani’s career trajectory as a defining moment for the institution’s faculty.
Kilani’s training at Toronto Film School, conducted partially online during pandemic conditions, emphasized adaptability in creative environments. She paralleled her acting training with the development of poetry as a complementary discipline, viewing both as interconnected practices. This dual approach informed her characterization work, allowing her to access emotional depth and maintain connection to her character’s inner experience. For Kilani, the responsibility of telling a story rooted in real testimony and loss aligned with her broader artistic philosophy, which she described as advocacy through various forms of creative expression including theatre, poetry, and film.
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