DUBAI: Italian curator and film executive Vincenzo Bugno has been named as the first recipient of the Arab Cinema Center’s Gamechanger of the Year Award, in recognition of his impact on Arab and international cinema.
Bugno will be honored on May 16 during the 10th Critics Awards for Arab Films, held at Plage des Palmes as part of the Cannes Marche du Film.
The new award celebrates individuals whose work is reshaping the film industry. ACC said Bugno was selected for his “visionary contributions” and sustained support of Arab filmmakers, particularly through his leadership of the World Cinema Fund, an initiative of the Berlin International Film Festival.
During his tenure, the WCF became a key platform for independent filmmakers from underrepresented regions, including the Middle East and North Africa. The fund has supported a wide range of critically acclaimed films, helping to expand Arab storytelling on the global stage.
Among the projects backed under Bugno’s direction are “Souad” by Ayten Amin, “Coming Forth by Day” by Hala Lotfy, “Talking About Trees” by Suhaib Gasmelbari, and “Four Daughters” by Kaouther Ben Hania.
Bugno, widely regarded as an influential figure behind the scenes, has built a career focused on championing independent voices and challenging traditional industry frameworks. His curatorial approach emphasizes authenticity and culturally rooted storytelling, guided by his belief that “the more local, the more international.”
His engagement with Arab cinema predates his work at the WCF. In 2007, he helped shape the Middle East focus of Open Doors at the Locarno Film Festival, introducing emerging filmmakers from the region to European industry networks.
Beyond funding, Bugno has also played a mentoring role, supporting filmmakers through long-term creative collaboration and advocating for what he has described as the “decolonization” of cinema.
In a statement, ACC co-founders Alaa Karkouti and Maher Diab said the award reflects the need to recognize industry figures driving “lasting, structural change,” particularly those working behind the scenes.
Bugno said of the honor: “Receiving this award brings me immense joy. It is deeply heartening to know that colleagues in the Arab world have viewed my work so positively over the years.”
The ACC is also featuring Bugno in the latest edition of Arab Cinema Magazine, released during the Cannes Film Festival.
