The 21st Zurich Film Festival begins on Thursday with a lineup full of muscular stars. It boasts some of the most acclaimed films of the year, and is an all-new film finance forum that, on the industry side, brings together Swiss investors and Hollywood producers for potentially fruitful matches.
Zurich will open this year with Michael Angelo Covino’s romantic comedy “Splitville.” Dakota Johnson is on hand to accept the Golden Eye Awards for the festival celebrating her career.
The “Splitsville” bow is in the Gala Premier section of Zurich. This presents some of the most anticipated films of the year. Sherien Davis’ Palestinian drama “Everything is for you.” “Nouvelle Wage” by Richard Linklater. “The Smashing Machine” starring Dwayne Johnson. And Edward Berger’s gambler drama “Ballad of a Small Player” was accompanied by Colin Farrell, the Fest Golden Icon Award winner.
“A ballad of a small player”
Provided by SIFF
Also spooling is Yorgos Lantimos’ “Bagonia,” starring Emma Stone. Jodie Foster is Rebecca Zlotovsky’s French drama “Personal Life.” “Frankenstein” by Guillermo del Toro. Paul Greengrass “The Lost Bus” and Matthew McConaughey. James Vanderbilt’s “Nuremberg” features Russell Crowe, who also won the Lifetime Achievement Award.
ZFF also introduces Cannes Prize winners “Secret Agent,” and presents the Golden Eye Awards with Clever Mendonmoun Phillo and Benedict Cumberbatch Dylan Southern’s “Winge-With a Feather” and Wagner Mula on hand. Similarly, during the premiere of “Jay Kelly,” starring George Clooney… tribute to the awards, Noah Bambach is likewise feting director and screenwriter Noah Bambach.
Meanwhile, James Sweeney’s highly acclaimed comedy drama “Twins” is one of 14 international works competing for Goldeneye in the feature film competition, and Kaouther Ben Hania’s real-life Gaza tragedy “The Voice of Hind Rajab” is one of the highlights of the border dedicated to working on human rights and political conflict.
As part of the industry program, the All New Film Finance Forum will attract international producers and Swiss investors for the first time this year.
“Zurich remains financial capital and global capital for wealth management,” explains ZFF Director Christian Jungen. “We have over 100 private banks and hundreds of asset management boutiques, and producers are looking for serious, boring money that doesn’t have strings.
The Film Finance Forum allows the US and other international producers to meet and discuss possibilities with around 30 Swiss investors, he adds. It’s an opportunity for our producers to explain to investors why it’s worth investing in films.
The state of the international film industry will be refocused at this year’s Zurich Summit. This analyses both current challenges and successes.
The event was Tom Quinn, founder and CEO of Distribution and Production House Neon, won the Game Changer Award.
“To me, Tom is really a game changer because indie is shrinking and everyone is concerned about, one layoff will follow the next round. Tom is an example of a system still working, allowing you to reach intelligent films, auter films and a large audience.
“Look at the achievements. If you win six Palme de Orts in a row, you need to understand something about the seventh art. That’s why I want to explain his influence. And as a festival, I’m saying thank you because it’s more necessary to Tom Quinn than ever before.”
The Zurich Summit will further explore timely issues such as how awards shows and film festivals remain relevant. Navigate political turmoil; the increasing importance of European and international production hubs and incentives. Find the right release strategy for indie movies.
Participants include Tricia Tuttle, director of the Berlin Film Festival. Toronto Head Cameron Bailey. Golden Globe Head Helenhone. David Unger from the Artist International Group. Abduljaril al-Nassar of the Saudi Film Commission discusses the Saudi Arabian film industry.
Also, Row K Entertainment president Megan Colligan will talk about. Patrick Waxburger, 193. Michael Barker of Sony Pictures Classic. Daniel Steinman of 30West; Roeg Sutherland, head of CAA Media Finance & International Film Group;
The Zurich Summit offers more relaxed and intensive events to help you analyze the bigger picture, Jungen said. Unlike other big festivals, “In Zurich, the atmosphere is easy and there’s time. Most of the deals take place after TIFF and I want to talk about the state of the industry.”
With US President Donald Trump having an impact on the industry and much interest in discussing fallout, he adds that the panel on navigating political turmoil is particularly timely.
“It’s really urgent to think about it. Can we still make important films? Last year we had the film “Apprentice” – it didn’t get a big distribution in the US,” he points out. “Of course, the incumbent president will have an impact on how the film is released and which films are produced.”
Similarly, the agenda includes YouTube’s role as a dominant force in entertainment and its position in the film industry, as well as the growing impact of artificial intelligence and AI companies. YouTubers and young AI industry representatives will be taking part in the summit to discuss their work.
Special AI presentations are available for the audience, Jungen adds. “It’s incredible what comes and impacts the film industry. The pace and speed of progress is unprecedented.
“Whether it’s political turmoil or AI, these are game-changing topics, so there’s more urgency on these topics.”
Having attracted 140,000 visitors last year, ZFF is embarking on a new era after Jungen led the management acquisition of former owner NZZ Media Group. The new team is looking to position ZFF as one of Europe’s best film events introducing Oscar’s favorites.
“We are becoming the location of the European premiere of a key American film that will be performing world premieres in Toronto, and the place where studios, streamers and the Indies can position films in award seasons,” Jungen adds, focusing on films like Ballad of a Small Player and Nuranmeg, attendees from Oscar’s Farrell and Crow.
“That’s the role we play.”
