Introduction to the Zurich Film Festival
The Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) has long played a key role as a starting pad for films in the most important German-language market of around 100 million people in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. The festival, which takes place from October 25th to November 5th, also means that ZFF is an important contribution to the international award season that includes the BAFTAS and the European Film Awards, culminating in the Oscars in March 2026.
The Role of ZFF in the Award Season
Films that were previously premiered at festivals such as Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Toronto, or Sundance traditionally use Zurich as an important platform to create dynamics and buzz for the award ceremony. Many films that premiere in Zurich, such as Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, Olivier Assayas’ The Wizard of the Kremlin, and Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine, make their European premieres after the core festival in Toronto.
Notable Films and Talent at ZFF
This year, a lot of talent will be making their way to Zurich to promote their films. The festival will feature master classes by Dakota Johnson, Wagner Moura, Noah Baumbach, Colin Farrell, Edward Berger, Russell Crowe, Claire Foy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Hildur Gudnadottir, and James McAvoy. Russell Crowe and Claire Foy will also be awarded at ZFF this year. Other notable films that will be screened at the festival include Jay Kelly, The Will of Ann Lee, After the Hunt, and Bugonia.
The Track Record of ZFF
In 2022, Edward Berger’s Everything Calmly on the Western Front had its European premiere in Zurich shortly after its world premiere in Toronto. The ZFF proved to be a significant additional platform for the film that won four Oscars. The festival director, Christian Junge, suggests that studios and streamers often use Zurich as a platform to consolidate enthusiasm for their films after premiering at other festivals such as Venice.
Optimized Program
The Vice Director of ZFF, Reta Guetg, says that the festival has tried to optimize its program in the past two years by selecting fewer films but with more emphasis on "the films that people will talk about" or which will provide buzz for the awards. The program features 114 films, and Guetg believes that the films are well-timed for the industry and the award line season. With many good films from all over the world and the USA, the cinema is coming back in terms of quality, and stars can surprise us again.
The Importance of ZFF
Many people decide to make their second important demonstration of their film in Zurich, and it is a great honor for the festival. The Academy of Arts and Sciences has made its membership internationally more diverse in recent years to make the Oscars a more global event. At least 20% of the Oscar voters are now based outside the United States, with international festivals playing a key role in achieving potential voters. ZFF is an important platform for films to gain recognition and buzz, and it continues to play a significant role in the award season.
