Fribourg Cinema Award

This award, presented by FIFF and the University of Fribourg, recognises a figure for her/his “outstanding contribution to the world through the art of cinema”. The winner receives an honorary degree.

FIFF and the University of Fribourg have launched an ambitious project that brings together culture, knowledge, art, research, emotions and critical thinking. The result is the Fribourg Cinema Award, which recognises the outstanding contribution of a figure from the world of cinema to the international arts scene and acknowledges the role of cinema as an instrument for fostering intercultural dialogue and championing human rights.

The Fribourg Cinema Award is different from the lifetime achievement awards conferred by other international festivals in that the winner also receives an honorary degree in recognition of their outstanding artistic contribution. The first recipient of this unique award is Kaouther Ben Hania, director of the heartrending Oscar-nominated The Voice of Hind Rajab. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a singular ability to tell stories of human struggle and tragedy with an incredible mastery of the language of cinema.

At the 40th edition of FIFF, the Tunisian filmmaker will screen five of her favourite films as part of the Fribourg Cinema Award section (20th – 29th March 2026).