Leading Culturepreneurs in the Culture and Creative Industries for 2022
Cultured Focus Magazine Honors the Top 10 Leading Culturepreneurs Across Industries
Culturepreneurs are the ones who are working to create change and make the world a better place. They are the ones who see what needs to be done and act. They have big dreams, and they know how to get there. Culture and creative industries (CCI’s) have continued to flourish in recent years, as more and more people have begun to value the intangible benefits. A study published by UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) estimates that the creative economy generates 2,250 billion USD annually globally and employ around 30 million people worldwide.
The creative economy is a term used to describe the use of creativity and innovation to generate economic growth. It’s not just about art and design, but also includes design thinking, strategic marketing, social entrepreneurship and more.
The creative economy is more diverse than it has ever been before- it includes everyone from designers and artists to engineers and entrepreneurs. It is also more inclusive because it provides opportunities for people who may not be able to find work in other sectors of the economy- such as refugees or those with disabilities.
As the year comes to an end, Cultured Focus Magazine honors the Top 10 Culturepreneurs for the year 2022. All of whom have made an impact in their own way. They are visionaries, spanning continents, and industries, yet are dedicated, driven, causing instrumental change, and great contribution to the world.
Below is the list of the Top 10 Culturepreneurs for 2022:
● Daphne di Cinto – Director, Producer and Actor:
Di Cinto is known by many for her work in the popular Netflix series, Bridgerton, and for her recent film that has had brilliant global success, “Il Moro”. The film tells the story of Alessandro de' Medici, son of an enslaved African woman and of Pope Clemente VII, who becomes the first Duke of Florence. The film has won numerous accolades including co-winner of the Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival for Best Short Narrative, thus Oscar Qualifying.
Daphne Di Cinto was named Cultured Focus ‘Visionary in Film’ award recipient during the 79th Venice Film Festival and the “Il Moro” film was screened at the prestigious Hotel Danieli Venice during the film festival.
Di Cinto shares stories that are promising, and she celebrates diversity in an exceptional way. With her unique storytelling abilities, she brings depth and awareness to her viewers.
● Evgeny Afineevsky – Director, Producer and Cinematographer:
Afineevsky, a leading pioneer in film, his recent documentary, “Freedom on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom” premiered at the 79th Venice Film Festival. The film depicts the plight of Ukrainians and the conflict they face in their country due to a needless war and Russian aggression. Of the film, he said: “I am always trying to use my platform as a filmmaker to bring the spotlight on the issue and the voices that need to be heard. I am putting my audience in a place where I have been, to feel the pain, to feel the inspiration, the resilience and great human spirit of the Ukrainians,” he said. Afineevsky pointed out that history does repeat itself and that humanity has to learn the lessons of each century in order to move forward in peace.
Considering his total body of work giving a voice to underserved and disadvantaged communities, he won the Cultured Focus Magazine ‘Excellence in Film’ award for 2022.
● Pino Calabrese – Actor and Producer:
Calabrese believes that film represents the world, and he has seen much progress over his career. He believes in the importance of diverse storytelling as he said during his presentation at the event “Diversity is Wealth”. He stressed the removal of barriers that maintain gender inequality and status quo in film, especially for women and non-binary people during the Diversity in Film Symposium. He was awarded the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his successful and remarkable career in film, theater, and television.
● Ainslee Alem Robson – Director and Writer:
Ainslee describes her first film “Ferenj: A Graphic Memoir in Virtual Reality” was set in an afrosurrealist VR dreamscape that explored the meaning of "home" and reclaimed Ainslee's Ethiopian-American mixed-race identity. Her current film project, “Kandaka” which centers a female African ruler, Queen Amanirenas, who led Kushite armies in victories against the Romans and Emperor Augustus. The film was screened at the Venice Production Bridge this year during the 79th Venice Film Festival. She won the Cultured Focus Magazine ‘Innovation in Film’ Award 2022.
● Gola – Singer-songwriter and Women’s Rights Activist:
Golazin Ardestani, better known as “Golazin” or “Gola,” advocates for justice and change for Iranian people. Her album, 'CHANGE,' displays this fact as it is a beautiful tribute and soundtrack to gender equality and women’s rights activism. Gola has voiced her thoughts against the oppressive regime in Iran despite being exiled from Iran and continues to advocate for women’s rights.
● Sinead Burke – Irish writer, Academic and Disability activist:
Sinead, well known for her TED talk ‘Why design should include everyone’, believes in education and as an internationally recognized advocate for disability and design. Disability-inclusive designs aim to help disabled people adapt to existing environments. She is the Director of consulting organisation 'Tilting the Lens', working to raise the baseline standards in accessibility, to design an equitable and accessible world. Since 2019, she has been a member of the Irish Council of State. Sinéad released her first book 'Break the Mould' in October 2020 and it won the 'Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year – Senior' category at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2020. She shares her message of inclusivity in a variety of ways including writing, public speaking, and social media to provide inspiration to others around the globe.
● Eva Longoria – Founder- Eva Longoria Foundation, Actress and Philanthropist:
Cultured Focus Magazine was privileged to interview the renowned actor, Eva Longoria on the red carpet at her Global Gift charity gala during the Cannes Film Festival in early 2022. With a long line of philanthropic work attached to her name, Eva is a lifetime pioneer and a force to be reckoned with. Longoria said, “It’s great to be back in Cannes and be part of The Global Gift Gala raising funds for Ukraine and for my foundation; together we can make a big difference. The gala is now in its ninth year, and I am excited to see many old and new friends as we celebrate philanthropy in one of my favorite places in Cannes.”
● Ghanim Al Muftah – FIFA World Cup Ambassador, Motivational Speaker, and Philanthropist:
Ghanim Al Muftah, a Qatari YouTuber is a leading visionary for those with disability. He was selected as an ambassador for the 2022 FIFA World Cup where he narrated the opening ceremony alongside iconic actor, Morgan Freeman. He's a light and source of inspiration to young and old. Born with a rare condition known as Caudal Regression Syndrome (CDS), he has persevered, faced life challenges head on, and proven that nothing is impossible. What an incredible inspiration to us all!
● Dia Mizra – Actress, Filmmaker and Climate Activist:
Dia Mizra, with her impressive resume, is dedicated to climate action and the protection of our natural world, sharing her experiences and insights via her social channels. As UN Environment’s Goodwill Ambassador, UN Secretary General’s Advocate of Sustainable Development Goals and brand ambassador for the Wildlife Trust of India, there aren’t many aspects of our natural environment that she is not advocating for to make a global impact.
● Ismahane Elouafi – Chief Scientist, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization:
Ismahane Eloaufi, an influential leader in science and consistently ranked amongst the 20 Most Influential Women in Science in the Islamic World. Ms. Elouafi is a strong advocate for diversifying into neglected and underutilized crops and rethinking food systems. She is also internationally known for her work on promoting use of non-fresh water in agriculture and empowerment of women in science. She has nearly two decades of experience in agricultural research and development in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. She also led the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from 2012 until 2020. Elouafi is a recipient of several prestigious awards and accolades, including the National Reward Medal by His Majesty Mohamed VI, the King of Morocco (2014), and the Excellence in Science Award from the Global Thinkers Forum (2014). Her advocacy has inspired young women in the field and a new generation of leaders in the agricultural sector.
In the past year, each of these culturepreneur have brought change in one way or another, by using their platforms to inspire us all and make an indelible mark on humanity. The creative economy can help diversify economies by supporting innovation in new areas of creativity and entrepreneurship. Creative skills are increasingly important for economic growth as they help to build new companies, create new jobs, and drive global innovation. The Cultured Focus Magazine is honored to have such visionaries, impacting the world, and using their creativity and pioneering endeavors to make the world a better place.