The 20th Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) celebrated a momentous milestone this year, drawing a record-breaking 140,000 visitors and cementing its status as the second-largest film festival in the German-speaking world. This remarkable achievement underscores the festival’s growing influence on the global film scene.
A perfect blend of Oscar-worthy film premieres, A-list guests, prestigious events like the Zurich Summit, and a newly revamped festival center made this edition an unforgettable experience for both film lovers and industry insiders. Over 120 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) were in attendance, further highlighting ZFF’s increasing significance on the international stage.
This year’s festival glittered with an impressive lineup of stars. Icons like Richard Gere, Kate Winslet, Pamela Anderson, Ralph Fiennes, Jennifer Grey, Alicia Vikander, Jude Law, Sebastian Stan, and Howard Shore lit up the Green Carpet and shared their insights in the ZFF Masters sessions, making the festival even more special.
“We delivered an anniversary edition that Zurich can be proud of,” said Christian Jungen, Artistic Director of ZFF. “From day one, the atmosphere was electric. Films received long standing ovations, and global stars like Kate Winslet and Richard Gere took time to connect with fans on the Green Carpet. The festival truly became the talk of the town, exceeding our expectations in visitor numbers. It was a dazzling celebration that underscored ZFF’s international acclaim and strong local support.”
In the competition, standout films took home top honors: ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL by Rungano Nyoni won in the feature film category, while BLACK BOX DIARIES by Shiori Itō triumphed in the documentary category.
With its unmatched energy and a stellar program, the 20th ZFF proved once again why it is a must-attend event for cinephiles and industry professionals alike.
