Butheina HK بثينة ★ 🍉 (@butheinahk)

Better than all the rest. Happy birthday my @hodanaosman

. A leading voice redefining cinema as a cultural space Cultural entrepreneur Butheina Kazim, Founder and Managing Director of Cinema Akil, has redefined how film can serve as both an artistic medium and a space for dialogue. She joins leading female creators at the Congress of Arabic & Creative Industries, to celebrate the pivotal role of Arab women in reshaping cultural and creative narratives across cinema, television, media, and digital platforms. Don’t miss the session: “Her Narrative: Women Reimagining Arabic Creativity”. Register your interest now via link in bio. #CongressACI

NEW: In episode 125, I sit down for a roundtable conversation about cinema, theatre and performing arts in Dubai with the incredible trio of @butheinahk (founder of @cinemaakil ), @_pujaunni_ (founder of @spanda.ae ) and @gautam_goenka (founder of @junctiondubai , making his second appearance)! In this conversation we discuss the origin story of Cinema Akil, Spanda & The Junction, the evolution of performing arts, theatre and arthouse cinema, how the city influences each artform, the function of a cinema, stage or classroom, the challenges of starting these spaces in UAE and how to create similar spaces from scratch. Full episode link in bio! Location credits: The Junction #dubai #uae #cinema #theatre

JDEED is proud to present episode 2 of “SHE BUILDS”, our original series highlighting women founders from the MENA. This time, we sat down with the incredibly inspiring @butheinahk , founder of @cinemaakil - In the heart of Dubai’s Alserkal Avenue, Cinema Akil stands not just as a cinema, but as a cultural landmark—a labor of love, vision, and community. Cinema Akil is the Gulf’s first arthouse cinema, and since opening its permanent home in 2018, it has transformed how cinema is consumed and appreciated in the region. To see more, click the link in bio!

Jury duty @iemmys ・・・ Jurors from the Semi-Final Round of Judging in Dubai, UAE hosted by Salem Al Youha AlMheiri from Dubai Studios @dubaistudios

My Own Private Conference of the Birds — went searching for a Secretary Bird but found Malachites, Giant Kingfishers, African Fish Eagles, Black‑headed herons, Goliath Egret, Hadada Ibis, Egyptian Goose..and vultures

Nairobi welcomed a sub-kissed @cinemaakil popup with open arms @unseen.nairobi through the sunset into the night. For our East African debut popup we proudly presented the Kenyan premiere of @lina__su ‘s BYE BYE TIBERIAS to a full house followed by a Q&A with the director who joined us onscreen from Paris. The evening opened with three short films by @morad.mostafaa keeping the program in the Continent in the spirit of the filmmakers bet on the tangent to the center. Thank you to Naomi O’Callaghan and the Unseen Team for your spirit of collaboration and the urgency with which you treat the films that move our times and hearts. Thank you Nairobi.

For some quiet overstimulation, friends and accomplices

Cinema of the Global South: A meeting of minds shaping cinema beyond borders 🎥🎬

Cannes 2025 rock baby soul baby 🎥⛲️🇵🇸

Vol 4️⃣ Troops / corps / @cinemaakil ‘s A team making our beloved ARAB CINEMA WEEK vol IV happen. Lights on, lights off and everything in between — none of it moves without all them eyes, minds, hands and hearts. #team #cinemaakil #fortheloveoffilm

Red truly is the warmest color. Deliberate Pauses by @shaikha.almazrou took me back to Hatta the natural playground of my childhood escorted by a velvety breeze under the wingspan of the long-winded commissioners of elaborate undertakings and dreams aka @alserkalartsfoundation @dubaiculture in a demonstration of how public / private partnerships (ppps in consultant lingo) can be in the service of nature and joy to witness. Thank you HH @hhshklatifa HE @halabadri on this gift to Dubai. Congratulations @abdelmonem_a @vilma.vj @nada_raza & last but not least @faysaltabbarah curator of the journey. May all pauses be deliberate and rewarding as this.