Rudy Buttignol C.M. joins Beyond Borders as Senior Advisor for Strategy & International Outreach

Beyond Borders | Kastellorizo International Documentary Festival, proudly announces the appointment of renowned cultural leader and broadcasting executive Rudy Buttignol C.M. as Senior Advisor for Strategy & International Outreach. Buttignol, one of the most influential figures in the international documentary landscape, will help guide the Festival leadership team’s strategic planning and support the next edition on the island of Kastellorizo, Greece, August 23–30, 2026.

Born in Italy and raised in Canada, Buttignol has left a lasting mark on the artistic and institutional history of documentary film., He began his career as an independent filmmaker before becoming a leading documentary commissioner and broadcasting executive. At TVOntario, he brought to life some of the most celebrated works, including The Corporation, Manufactured Landscapes, OSCAR-nominated Writing With Fire, and the Emmy and Grammy winning series Yo-Yo Ma: Inspired by Bach. As President and CEO of British Columbia’s Knowledge Network, he transformed the public broadcaster by combining the BBC’s programming ethos with PBS’s donor funding structure, and by establishing the Knowledge Endowment Fund, which today is valued at $38 million. Buttignol was a founding member of the Hot Docs Festival andchampion of its pitching forum. He served as Chair of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and TV, and in 2016, was inducted as a Member of the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian honor.

Buttignol will work closely with the Festival’s team to strengthen its branding, and expand its international reach His guidance will be pivotal in shaping a forward-looking strategy that reinforces the Festival’s Co-Production Forum as a unique platform for international collaboration, engaging global stakeholders including producers, commissioning editors, distributors, funders, and media.

“Rudy Buttignol is more than a leader in the documentary world; he is a visionary whose career has bridged continents, cultures and… industries,” said Irini Sarioglou, President of the Festival. “As Beyond Borders steps into its second decade, his presence ensures that Kastellorizo will not only remain a symbolic meeting point of civilizations, but also grow into a true industry hub for the global documentary community.”

Rudy Buttignol expressed enthusiasm for joining the team : “Beyond Borders is a festival of extraordinary ambition, rooted in history. I am honored to contribute to its continuing evolution, building its international industry presence and creating opportunities for filmmakers to tell the urgent stories of our time.”

Since its founding in 2016, Beyond Borders has evolved from a visionary initiative on a small Aegean island into a distinguished international festival, seamlessly bridging history, culture and human rights with innovative cinematic practice. Its competition programs, Pitching Lab, Co-Production Forum, film industry events and masterclasses have established the Festival not only as a showcase for exceptional films but also as a dynamic hub for ideas, collaborations and cross-border exchanges. With the appointment of Rudy Buttignol as Senior Advisor for Strategy & International Outreach, Beyond Borders is poised to reach new heights in global visibility and industry influence, advancing its mission of dialogue and creativity “beyond borders” as it enters its second decade.

For more information, visit: www.beyondborders.gr or email info@beyondborders.gr

Organized by the Hellenic History Foundation (IDISME).