Butheina Kazim

Butheina Kazim is the founder of Cinema Akil, the only independent arthouse cinema in the Gulf region programming repertory cinema programs at their flagship home in Alserkal Avenue, at their new outpost in 25 Hours Hotel in Dubai and through the nomadic cinema across the GCC. She was awarded the title of Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture and was named by Fast Company Middle East as one of the Most Creative People in Business in 2023. She is a member of the Steering Committee of the Network of Arab Alternative Screens where Cinema Akil is a member. As a Fulbright Scholar, Kazim obtained an MA in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University andlives and works in Dubai. Instagram @butheinahk | Twitter @butheinaB

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Cinema Akil

Cinema Akil is the Gulf’s first and only independent cinema platform that brings quality films from across the world to the audiences in the Gulf. Showcasing directors and filmmakers across decades, Cinema Akil aims to create awareness and interest in film and the cinematic arts while amplifying the exposure of international films to a regional audience. Launched in Dubai in 2014 as a nomadic cinema, Cinema Akil has held over 75 pop-up cinemas attracting over 85,000 attendees in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. In 2022, Cinema Akil held its first-ever regional pop-up in Doha during the World Cup followed by a popup in Al Ula, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2023. In September 2018, Cinema Akil opened its first permanent location in Al Quoz, Dubai making its flagship home the GCC’s first arthouse cinema which has been brought to you in partnership with Alserkal. In November 2023, Cinema Akil in 25hours Hotel Dubai opened its purpose-built space as a seasonal outdoor outpost acting as a public cinema and multipurpose venue in Dubai One Central. The independent cinema has grown to launch the UAE’s first-ever Arab Cinema Week in 2022 to celebrate Arab Cinema and has also hosted global film festivals to bring innovative cinematic artworks from the lands of Hong Kong and Italy here in the GCC region. Cinema Akil is a member of the Network of Arab Alternative Screens (NAAS) which includes members from the MENA region such as Metropolis in Beirut, Zawya in Cairo and Cinematheque du Tangier in Morocco.www.cinemaakil.com// Facebook -Cinema Akil // Instagram -@CinemaAkil