Neon’s Tom Quinn to Receive Game Changer Award at the Zurich Summit

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At the Zurich Summit, happening on September 27 and connected to the 21st Zurich Film Festival, Tom Quinn – founder and CEO of U.S. independent distribution and production company Neon – will receive the Game Changer Award. Among his projects is Joachim Trier’s film “Sentimental Value,” which is generating buzz at Cannes.

The award “honors outstanding achievement within the film industry, particularly recognizing visionary leaders who embrace innovation and progressive strategies in their work,” the festival announced.

Since 2017, when Quinn established it, Neon film production company has garnered an impressive 39 Academy Award nominations in less than a decade, winning 11 awards, including two for Best Picture, and has amassed over $400 million in box office revenue.

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Neon, founded by Quinn in 2017, has already earned 39 Academy Award nominations, won 11 awards (including two Best Picture titles), and made more than $400 million at the box office within eight years.

The movies they produce feature notable titles such as Sean Baker’s “Anora,” a film that bagged five Academy Awards including Best Picture and had the highest per-screen average in 2024 upon its theater release; along with Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite,” which won four Academy Awards, making history as the first non-English language film to win Best Picture, and raked in over $54 million at the U.S. box office.

At Cannes this year, Neon unveiled Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” and Julia Ducournau’s “Alpha”, as well as Raoul Peck’s “Orwell: 2+2=5” and Michael Angelo Covino’s “Splitsville”. Notably, Neon was also involved in the production of “Splitsville”, which features Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona.

Christian Jungen, director of Zurich Film Festival, commented: “From its beginnings, Neon has been a pioneer in promoting daring, creative, and visionary films by auteur directors. Its founder, Tom Quinn, is an enthusiastic movie lover. Under his guidance, the company has become a powerful player in the independent film scene.

Tom’s exceptional intuition, polished sense of style, and sharp business intelligence have propelled Neon into a renowned global brand that connects U.S. and international filmmakers as well as audiences. His love for various genres has played a crucial role in making independent films available worldwide, allowing their unique creative ideas to be shared with diverse viewers.

Neon demonstrates that even amidst current difficulties, high-quality artistry can lead to significant commercial triumph in the film industry, as it meticulously selects its projects.

Among the esteemed individuals who have previously received this award are Roeg Sutherland, co-head of the media finance department at CAA; Patrick Wachsberger, an Academy Award-winning producer for “Coda”; Pamela Abdy, co-chair and CEO of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group; and Michael Barker and Tom Bernard, co-presidents of Sony Pictures Classics. It’s truly awe-inspiring to see such accomplished figures in the film industry recognized in this way.

Quinn expressed: “It’s truly a privilege to receive the Game Changer Award alongside my fellow professionals. The Zurich Festival and Summit are events I eagerly anticipate each year. It’s a unique chance for our industry to gather, honestly evaluate our progress, and plan ways to advance cinema further. I’m thankful to be part of this outstanding group of global film enthusiasts and can’t wait to celebrate together again at this year’s event. A big thank you goes out to Christian, Reta, and the entire Zurich Film Festival team for their enduring friendship and this esteemed honor.

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2025-05-22 11:16