Sata Cissokho, who previously led acquisitions at Paris-based Paradise City, has been named as the new head of the Berlinale World Cinema Fund (WCF) and Toolbox Programme.
Her appointment marks a milestone moment for the WCF, which was headed WCF by Vincenzo Bugno for 21 years.
Bugno, who was instrumental in establishing and growing the WCF into one of the world’s leading film funding institutions, announced his departure over the summer and completes his tenure at the end of 2025.
Cissokho takes on a newly integrated role which will see her lead strategic development and oversee both the World Cinema Fund and the Toolbox programme of the Berlinale’s European Film Market (EFM) creating synergies between the various initiatives of the festival’s Berlinale Pro industry offering.
To date, the WCF has funded 370 projects through different schemes, from Asghar Farahdi’s A Separation to this year’s Un Certain Regard winner and Chilean 2026 Oscar entry The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo by Diego Céspedes.
Established in 2022, Toolbox supports producers from countries underrepresented in the international film industry, helping them build professional networks, gain industry knowledge, and create sustainable pathways for their careers.
Toolbox alumni include Leah Baker, producer of this year’s Cannes Caméra d’Or winner and Iraqi Oscar entry The President’s Cake.
Cissokho takes up her role this month, with an immediate focus on the Toolbox program and will transition into her WCF leadership role through the autumn.
She arrives with 15 years of experience across curation, production, distribution and international sales. At Paradise City (formerly known as Memento International), she spearheaded the strategic selection of projects, nurtured emerging filmmakers, and helped build international recognition for directors such as Gabriel Mascaro, Pedro Pinho, Haifaa Al-Mansour, Małgorzata Szumowska, Chaitanya Tamhane, Lemohang Mosese, Baloji, to name a few.
She also served on numerous film commissions, selection committees and juries, including for the French CNC Aide aux cinémas du monde, the Marrakech Film Festival Atlas Workshops, Rotterdam’s CineMart, and the New Dawn fund.
In addition, she has been a mentor, workshop leader and industry expert for many internationally renowned initiatives such as the Cannes’ Producers Network, TorinoFilmLab, EAVE or Creative Producer Indaba.
“Sata Cissokho’s unparalleled experience and dedication make her the ideal person to lead the next chapter of the WCF and the Toolbox Programme,” said Berlinale Pro Director Tanja Meissner, who previously worked with Cissokho early in her career at Memento.
“I am very happy to welcome her to Berlinale Pro and look forward to seeing the opportunities she will create for filmmakers and producers worldwide. I would like to recognize Vincenzo Bugno for his remarkable achievements and longstanding commitment, which have been instrumental in shaping the WCF into the vital platform it is today.”
Sata Cissokho said: “The World Cinema Fund has been a leading force behind diversity in the global cinema landscape, defending urgent films with a strong artistic, political and cultural impact, and I am honoured and excited to take over its leadership.
“In today’s climate, I strongly believe that it’s more important than ever to support the richness and diversity of world cinemas. Throughout my career I have fought for new and underrepresented voices despite market pressures, so this feels like the natural next step for me.”
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