Ilir Butka: Building the foundation of Albanian cinema

Ilir Butka has played a central role in developing the Albanian film industry since the early 1990s. After emigrating to Italy in 1991, Butka returned to Albania to work toward connecting the local film scene with international markets and festivals.

His contributions include founding the Albania Film Commission in 2000, which was presented at the Cannes Film Festival, and helping establish the Tirana International Film Festival in 2003. As a producer, he has been involved in international co-productions such as ‘Honeymoons’ and the documentary ‘La Nave Dolce’.

Butka also served as the director of the National Center of Cinematography from 2014 to 2019, focusing on European film market integration and the creation of the Balkan Film Market. In 2020, Italian President Sergio Mattarella decorated him with the title ‘Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia’.