Inside Cinema Akil: How Butheina Kazim Built the Gulf's First Arthouse Cinema

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. Founded by Butheina Kazim, 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.

"Cinema Akil was born out of hunger," Butheina shares. "A hunger for spaces where like-minded people could come together around conscious ideas—and cinema became that world of worlds." What began as community screenings in borrowed galleries and cultural spaces in 2014 evolved into a full-fledged nomadic platform, programming one screening at a time across the UAE. The early days were experimental and intimate: a seven-film series at The Third Line Gallery, showcasing everything from Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder to Anne-Marie Jacir’s When I Saw You, as well as works by artists like Sophia Al-Maria and Joana Hadjithomas.

Those screenings provided more than a test run. They revealed an appetite—deep, curious, and engaged. “That curiosity,” Butheina says, “was all we needed to know to keep going.” By 2017, Cinema Akil partnered with Alserkal Avenue for a pop-up called Now Playing, testing the viability of a daily cinema model. With furniture sourced from old cinemas, projectors borrowed from past screenings, and interiors designed by regional artists like Shab Moha and Chindi, a raw yet functional space was created. “It was a labor of love,” she says. “The kind where everything is either donated, lent, or built together.”

In 2018, Cinema Akil opened its doors as a permanent space. Its first film was Yomeddine, an Egyptian road movie, followed by documentaries and genre-defining features like McQueen. But Cinema Akil was never just about screenings. The goal was to build a live cinema—an open space that served as a cultural heartbeat. “People nap here,” Butheina laughs. “They come in for photos, meetings, or simply to exist. That’s the point. We never wanted a black-box theater that only activates during showtimes.”

Today, Cinema Akil has expanded beyond Alserkal. In 2023, it opened a second outpost at 25Hours Hotel in Dubai’s One Central. The design—spearheaded by Palestinian architect Jude Malhas and enriched by collaborators from across the SWANA region—turned the space into a creative portal. From custom acoustics by 21dB Beirut to seating by Post Industrial Craft, every element tells a story. “It’s not just about watching films. It’s about creating immersive, bespoke spaces that reflect our region and its nuances,” Butheina adds.

Cinema Akil also operates The Yard cinema in Alserkal and continues to host screenings across the region—in Amman, Riyadh, Jeddah, Doha, and beyond. Among its proudest achievements is Arab Cinema Week, now in its fourth edition. “We didn’t want another red-carpet affair,” she explains. “We wanted a space that elevates Arab cinema and gives it back to its rightful audience.”

That ethos drives everything—from the films selected to the collaborators involved. Recent partnerships include Cairo-based designer Nada Sultan, who redefined the visual identity of Arab Cinema Week. Real Palestine, a festival now housed at Cinema Akil, also underscores the platform’s political and cultural mission. “We’re less about challenging others’ views of us, and more about shifting our own self-image. That only happens through access—access to cinema that comes from here.”

To Butheina, the work is ongoing. “What’s most surprising and spectacular is not launching something new,” she reflects, “it’s the ability to keep going. Consistency, contemplation, and community—those are the challenges.” For her, progress is not just in grand premieres but in the small, daily triumphs: the repeat visitor, the thoughtful question after a screening, the growing team that shares the mission.

As Cinema Akil rolls into summer, it prepares for one of its signature series: Summer of Classics. A robust lineup of timeless films, served up in a cool, cinematic oasis. "Our ACs are excellent, our seats are cozy, and our films are always incredible," Butheina smiles.

And for any woman with a dream? Her advice is clear. "Bet on other women. They’ll be the ones who say your name in the right room, who offer their time, who show up when it counts. That’s not just a rallying cry—it’s tangible, it’s strategic, and it works."

Cinema Akil is living proof.

Disover more on cinemaakil.com and follow Butheina on Instagram, here