2025 Zurich Film Festival Winners Announced
The 21st Zurich Film Festival came to a close on Saturday evening with the announcement of its top winners. The festival, which took place in Zurich, Switzerland, showcased a diverse range of films from around the world, including feature films, documentaries, and films for children.
Feature Film Winners
The Golden Eye award for the best feature film went to Slovak director Tereza Nvotová’s film "Father". This film, which is based on a true story, tells the tale of a decent man whose life spirals out of control due to a temporary memory loss and a resulting tragedy. "Father" is also the Slovak entry for the 2026 Oscar race and was well-received at the Venice Film Festival. The film’s international sales are being handled by Intramovies.
Special mentions in the feature film category went to Alice Douard’s "Proof of Love (Love Letters)" and Shih-Ching Tsou’s "Left-Handed Girl". The latter film, which was written and produced by director Sean Baker, is Taiwan’s official Oscar candidate and has been acquired by Netflix for distribution in most of the world.
Documentary Film Winners
The Golden Eye award for the best documentary film went to Moris Freiburghaus’ film "I Love You, I Leave You". This film, which is the first Swiss film to win the festival’s top documentary award, follows the director’s best friend as he struggles with manic episodes over the course of a year. Special mentions in the documentary category went to Yrsa Roca Fannberg’s "The Floor Under Our Feet" and Namir Abdel Meseh’s "Life to Siham".
Other Winners
The ZFF Critics’ Jury Award went to Damien Hauser’s film "Memory of Princess Mumbi", with a special mention going to Moris Freiburghaus’ "I Love You, I Leave You". The ZFF for Kids Jury Award and the ZFF for Kids Audience Award both went to Benjamin Heisenberg’s film "The Prank". The Audience Award went to Moris Freiburghaus’ "I Love You, I Leave You", while the Film Award of the Churches of Zurich went to Namir Abdel Meseh’s "Life to Siham". The Best International Film Music Award went to Mikal Grigorowitsch.
Full List of Winners
The full list of winners at the 2025 Zurich Film Festival includes:
- Golden Eye for Best Feature Film: Tereza Nvotová – "Father"
- Special Mention (Feature Film Competition): Alice Douard – "Proof of Love (Love Letters)" and Shih-Ching Tsou – "Left-Handed Girl"
- Golden Eye for Best Documentary: Moris Freiburghaus – "I Love You, I Leave You"
- Special Mention (Documentary Film Competition): Yrsa Roca Fannberg – "The Floor Under Our Feet" and Namir Abdel Meseh – "Life to Siham"
- ZFF Critics’ Jury Award: Damien Hauser – "Memory of Princess Mumbi"
- Special Mention (ZFF Critics’ Jury): Moris Freiburghaus – "I Love You, I Leave You"
- ZFF for Kids Jury Award: Benjamin Heisenberg – "The Prank"
- ZFF for Kids Audience Award: Benjamin Heisenberg – "The Prank"
- Audience Award: Moris Freiburghaus – "I Love You, I Leave You"
- Film Award of the Churches of Zurich: Namir Abdel Meseh – "Life to Siham"
- Best International Film Music Award: Mikal Grigorowitsch
Honorary Awards
The festival also presented several honorary awards, including the Golden Eye Award to Dakota Johnson, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Claire Foy. The Golden Icon Award went to Wagner Moura, while the Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Colin Farrell. Russell Crowe received the A Tribute to… Award, and Noah Baumbach was honored with the Career Achievement Award. Anne Walser also received the Career Achievement Award, and Hildur Guðnadóttir was presented with the Game Changer Award. Tom Quinn was also recognized at the festival.
