The 82nd Venice Film Festival has become a focal point for discussions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Amidst the cinematic celebrations, a powerful moment emerged when Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy, upon receiving the Best Director award in the Orizzonti section for her debut film Songs of Forgotten Trees, voiced her support for Palestine.

Roy's film, Songs of Forgotten Trees, tells the story of two migrant women in Mumbai who form an unexpected bond. The film premiered in the festival’s Orizzonti Competition, which spotlights new trends in cinema, debut works, and indie features. During her acceptance speech, Roy stated, "Every child deserves peace, freedom, liberation, and Palestine is no exception… it's a responsibility at the moment to stand by Palestine. I might upset my country but it doesn't matter to me anymore". Her words resonated deeply, highlighting the festival's role as a platform for political expression and advocacy.

Roy's statement underscores a growing sentiment within the film community, with many using their platforms to call attention to the plight of Palestinians. This year's Venice Film Festival has been marked by such expressions of solidarity. A movement called Venice for Palestine (V4P), comprised of over 1,500 film icons, urged the festival to condemn the "ongoing genocide in Gaza and ethnic cleansing across Palestine". The group also requested that the festival withdraw invitations to celebrities known for their pro-Israeli stances.

Adding to the festival's focus on the Palestinian cause, "The Voice of Hind Rajab," a docudrama about a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed during the Israeli military operation in Gaza, won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize. The film utilizes audio from Hind's last call to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, capturing the desperate attempt to save her life. Director Kaouther Ben Hania dedicated the award to the Palestinian Red Crescent and called for accountability for Israeli killings, stating that Hind's voice "is the voice of Gaza itself". The film received a 23-minute standing ovation at its premiere, underscoring its emotional impact and the resonance of its message.

The festival also featured a special event honoring Fatma Hassona, a Palestinian photographer who documented the war in Gaza City. Additionally, a documentary delving into the lives of Palestinians affected by the destruction in Gaza was screened.

The strong showing of films related to Palestine, coupled with Anuparna Roy's powerful speech, has solidified the Venice Film Festival as a space where art and activism intersect. These moments of solidarity serve as a reminder of the power of cinema to amplify marginalized voices and promote dialogue on critical global issues. The festival's closing ceremony further emphasized this point, with multiple winners calling for an end to the Israeli military campaign and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, urging the world of culture and cinema to contribute to a more positive and constructive dialogue.