Tom Quinn, founder and CEO of Neon, an independent American distribution and production company, will receive honors at the Zurich Summit held on September 27. Quinn's slate includes Joachim Trier's Cannes Frontrunner "Sensual Value".

The festival said the award is a “tribute to excellence in the film business, with the focus on cherishing leaders who value change and forward-looking approaches in the business.”

Neon, founded in 2017, has won 39 Academy Award nominations in just eight years, with 11 wins, including two Best Picture wins, and earned over $400 million in box office.

Its films include Sean Baker's "Anora", which won five Academy Awards, including Best Pictures, and was released in theaters to reach the highest screen average in 2024; in addition to Bong Joon Ho's "Parasite", the film won four Academy Awards, becoming the first non-English film to claim best picture, and earned $54 million at the box office in the U.S.

At this year's Cannes Film Festival, Neon lights were also produced in Joachim Trier's "Sensual Value" and Julia Ducournau's "Alpha" and Raoul Peck's "Orwell: 2+2=5" and Michael Angelo Covino's "Splitsville" and Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona's Neon.

Christian Jungen, director of Zurich Film Festival, said: “Since its founding, Neon has been a pioneer in advocating for the bold, innovative and visionary Auteur Cinema. Founder Tom Quinn is a passionate film industry. Under his leadership, the company has become a dynamic force in independent films.

“Tom’s special intuition, sophisticated taste and strategic business acumen have elevated neon lights to the globally renowned cult label, which bridges the gap between us and international audiences and filmmakers. Tom’s deep appreciation of genres, in all genres, has been bringing a wide range to the well-known range to make it communicated around the world.

“Through carefully curated slate, neon lights prove that artistic quality can achieve significant commercial success in cinemas even in today’s challenging environment.”

Past winners of the award include CAA's media finance division Roeg Sutherland, Patrick Wachsberger, Academy Award, along with "Coda", co-chair and CEO of Warner Bros. Film Group Pamela Abdy and Sony Pictures Classics co-chairman and Tom Bernard.

Quinn said: "To be honored with my peers for a game-changing award. Zurich is something I love every year as a festival and summit. It is a rare opportunity for us as an industry to unite seriously to evaluate how we work and to continue working hard to drive this fanatic film. I am excited for this extraordinary celebration. The Zurich Film Festival is for your ongoing friendship and this special recognition."