Read the Market. Connect with Peers. Refine Your Strategy.
The Zurich Summit is a premier platform for the creative industries. The boutique conference gathers a top-class line-up of film producers, sales executives and creators in film, TV and entertainment as well as technology entrepreneurs and financiers at The Dolder Grand. It offers a smart mix of knowledge transfer and inspiration, as well as ideal networking opportunities.
Zurich Summit Conference Day
Saturday, 27.09.2025
09.00 - 17.00
Zurich Summit Programme 2024
09:00 AM - 09:30 AM: COFFEE & REGISTRATION
09:30 AM - 09:40 AM: WELCOME
09:40 AM - 10:20 AM:THE FUTURE OF ENTERTAINMENT: AI – CURSE OR BLESSING?
The debate about the dawn of AI, manifested itself when last year’s strike affected all the sectors of the entertainment industry, resulting in a complete overhaul of the status quo. Hence, does AI present an opportunity or is it the doom in a divided industry?
Moderated by Raffael Dickreuter, CEO Superba AI
10:20 AM - 11:00 AM: HOW TO MONETIZE INDEPENDENT FILMS?
In a contracted marketplace, where content spend is being reduced, yet production is more expensive than ever due to inflation, the sector is facing immense fiscal challenges. What are some creative and innovative ways to access/secure financing in getting indie films made? How important are bankable talent attachments when packaging, and how can indie films be profitable when box office returns are diminishing?
Moderated by Diana Lodderhose, International Features Editor Deadline
11:00 AM - 11:20 AM: NETWORKING BREAK
11:20 AM - 12:00 PM: WHAT DO INVESTORS WANT?
For the first time in its 10 years history, the Zurich Summit will have a panel of investors who share what they are expecting from financing movies. What does an ideal ROI look like?
Moderated by Andreas Wiseman, Executive Editor, International & Strategy Deadline
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM: HOLLYWOOD IN EUROPE: DECENTRALIZING THE GLOBAL FILM INDUSTRY
Soft money, tax breaks/incentives and financing obligations by streamers lure many productions to Europe to create content for a global audience.
Moderated by Melanie Goodfellow, Senior International Film Correspondent Deadline
12:50 PM - 02:00 PM: LUNCH
02:00 PM - 02:40 PM: THE GAME CHANGER RECIPIENT ROEG SUTHERLAND IN CONVERSATION WITH GLEN BASNER & MIKE FLEMING JR
How to become a successful agent, and what does the future of entertainment look like?
02:40 PM - 03:20 PM: BEHIND THE CURTAIN OF HOLLYWOOD’S CHANGING REPRESENTATION BUSINESS
Mergers in an ever rapidly changing environment have upended the game. Agents, managers, and talent reps need to be flexible by diversifying their business in an effort to stay relevant. What does the agency/management company of tomorrow look like and does the classic movie star still exist in the age of social media influencers?
Moderated by Sarah Schweitzman, CAA Media Finance & International Film Group
03:20 PM - 04:00 PM: THEATRICAL DISRUPTION: WHERE HAVE ALL THE CINEMA LOVERS GONE?
Since the pandemic, the box office is significantly down and audiences haven’t fully embraced and/or returned to cinemas, so the theatrical business is facing a worrisome trend. Mostly IP driven franchise films succeed, yet indie films, the so-called adult dramas, have yet to recover in making a full comeback. How should indie films be distributed to appeal to a wide audience in the light of streaming?
Moderated by Mike Fleming Jr, Co-Editor-in-Chief, Film Deadline
04:00 PM - 04:40 PM: HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCH AN AWARDS CONTENDER?
Fall film festivals have become a crucial element for awards campaigning, especially considering the influence of international AMPAS Members. Does the Academy’s embracement for international cinema have a spillover effect on OSCAR® nominations, and what role do European awards (Venice Film Festival, BAFTA, EFA) play during awards season?
Moderated by Jonathan Rutter, PremierPR
04:40 PM - 04:50 PM: FILM COMMISSION ZURICH PRESENTATION
Presented by Dino Malacarne, Film Commission Zurich.
04:50 PM: CLOSING DRINKS
Hosted by Film Commission Zurich
The Game Changer Award pays tribute to excellency in the film business with a focus on leaders that not only cherish change in the industry but also stand for the DNA of what cinema has stood for since its invention.
Game Changer Award
Previous Game Changer Award Winners
Discover previous Zurich Summits
Impressions
Partner
The Zurich Summit is produced by Spoundation Motion Picture AG in cooperation with the Zurich Film Festival.
Venue Partner
The Dolder Grand – 175 luxurious rooms and suites, world-class restaurants, a spa covering 4,000 square meters, spacious event facilities, and an art collection boasting more than 100 works, including originals by Takashi Murakami and Salvador Dalí: The Dolder Grand, which opened in 1899 as the Dolder Grand Hotel & Curhaus, is a luxurious city resort in the truest sense of the word. The hotel offers its guests magnificent views over Zurich, the lake, and the Alps. The Dolder Grand Spa and the nearby woods provide ample opportunities for rest and relaxation. For those who prefer to immerse themselves in the vibrancy of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, the center of Zurich is just minutes away.
Zurich Summit Cooperation Partner
Transwing is revolutionizing business aviation since 1992, offering exclusive charter flights made in Switzerland with our modern fleet of Citation M2 jets. Based in Zurich, we provide seamless and luxurious travel solutions for modern executives, with access to the global charter market. Our commitment to precision, comfort, and efficiency ensures that each journey is not just a flight, but a premium experience. Whether in Europe or beyond, Transwing is your trusted partner in delivering exceptional service and reliability in the fast-paced world of international business travel. We are there, where you need us - bringing you there, where you are needed.
Cooperation Partner
Deadline Hollywood is the definitive choice for industry professionals and entertainment enthusiasts. Since its launch in 2006, Deadline Hollywood has become the #1 breaking news site in Hollywood and media news. Along with being the authoritative source for breaking news, Deadline prides itself on its journalistic integrity; something readers have long valued, which drives them to access the site multiple times each day.
ICT4Peace is a policy and action-oriented international Foundation. The purpose is to save lives and protect human dignity through Information and Communication Technology. Since 2003 ICT4Peace explores and champions the use of ICTs and new media for peaceful purposes, including for peacebuilding, crisis management and humanitarian operations. Since 2007 ICT4Peace promotes cybersecurity and a peaceful cyberspace through inter alia international negotiations with governments, international organisations, companies and non-state actors.
The Swedish brand Craft specialises in functional clothing for endurance sports, team sports and running shoes, for which it has already received several awards. Achieving optimum results requires both performance and comfort. Working closely with top athletes, Craft is constantly developing new materials and technical solutions to provide its customers with high-quality equipment for training and competition.
Head is a leading global provider of premium, high-performance equipment and apparel for athletes and players, at all levels. Since our launch in 1950, we’ve achieved a reputation for cutting-edge design, engineering excellence and a passion for championing all sport, everywhere. World-class performance demands the very best equipment and that’s why, at HEAD, our purpose is to give athletes and players at every level, exactly what they need to win.
SRG is an association that is open to everyone. This association operates the public, independent media house SRG SSR which produces and broadcasts audiovisual content in four language regions and has 7,200 employees. SRG’s head office is in Bern. It is well-established in the regions through its federalist structure with five Enterprise Units (RSI, RTR, RTS, SRF, SWI), forming a contrast to cost-driven centralisation in the media industry.
Produced by
Spoundation Motion Picture AG is a marketing and event agency for cultural events, public_localations as well as online and offline platforms, based in Zurich. Its services include the acquisition and support of sponsors and partners, event, concept and implementation management.
