The forth edition of the three-day talent promotion program, ZFF Summit Climber, takes place from September 26 to September 29, 2025, in conjunction with the Zurich Summit, the Zurich Film Festival's prestigious boutique conference, at The Dolder Grand hotel.
The Zurich Film Festival enables eight junior sales and distribution executives to learn from Hollywood's finest. The aim of the new talent development programme is to use the framework of the conference and the festival to transfer knowledge about transatlantic economic and financing structures to selected participants. Additionally, the programme also offers participants a unique opportunity to expand their European and North American film network.
There are no participation or application fees for the program.
The ZFF Summit Climber is designed as a three day mentored talent development program, serving as a platform for knowledge and networking.
The programme places equal importance on knowledge transfer and the creation of practical networking opportunities. It specifically focuses on film financing and distribution. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of transatlantic financing structures and offers a unique opportunity to expand the North American and European networks through connections with Zurich Summit guests. Participants can deepen their knowledge of current challenges in film distribution, strengthen their collaboration with producers, and learn the rules and regulations for transatlantic cooperation.
Differentiate yourself from other junior executives and gain competitive advantage by joining the ZFF Summit Climber.
The programme will provide you with:
Participation in the ZFF Summit Climber is free but upon application. Eight industry talents will be selected and benefit of the ZFF Summit Climber package.
We bring the next generation of sales and distribution executives to the Zurich Summit.
Financing is one of the primary gaps in the knowledge of even very experienced executives, and it is a frequently requested topic in training programs. The collaboration with the Zurich Summit will enable the ZFF Summit Climber to close that gap, given the calibre of attendees and the collaboration with CAA. Obtaining this kind of knowledge will provide the selected participants with highly desired expertise and a competitive edge over their peers. The Zurich Film Festival aims to maximize the benefits of the excellent opportunities the Zurich Summit presents and use it as a stepping-off point for the learning they want to impart to the participants.
Day 1: Program starts at 1 PM (expected arrival in the morning)
Day 2: Attendance of the Zurich Summit conference's key sessions and of the participants only break-out sessions
Day 3: Zurich Summit Tennis Tournament and Zurich Summit Dinner and other programme
Day 4: Departure
The application for the 4th edition of the ZFF Summit Climber opens in spring 2025 and will be announced via the Industry Newsletter. Sign up here.
An application for the ZFF Summit Climber will be accepted if the following criteria are met:
If you have any questions about the application process or the talent program, please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail at [email protected].
Find out more about our ZFF Summit Climbers and alumni of the past years!
Our ZFF Summit Climbers benefit from intimate breakout sessions from high-profile speakers. Roeg Sutherland, Tom Quinn and Kristen Figeroid, among others, have already passed on their expert knowledge to our participants.
The ZFF Summit Climber is a talent development programme of the Zurich Film Festival. The three-day programme is aimed at emerging sales and acquisition executives. During the ZFF Summit Climber, the selected participants will, among other things, have the unique opportunity to meet with well-known personalities of the film industry and gain insights into their creative process.
The ZFF Summit Climber will take place from September 26 to September 29, 2025 as part of the Zurich Summit, the prestigious boutique conference of the Zurich Film Festival (September 25 to October 5).
The exact program varies from year to year and is tailored to the selected participants. Essentially, the program consists of the following elements:
Zurich Summit Conference
Anyone - regardless of age, gender, race or origin, place of residence, religion or belief - can apply, provided the following criteria are met: The person applying works in acquisitions, distribution or film sales and has at least 2 years of professional experience in that role. Furthermore, the person applying must be fluent in English and have met the formal criteria of the application process.
No, the ZFF Summit Climber is reserved for junior executives from Distribution, Acquisitions and Film Sales. Producers can apply for the ZFF Academy.
No. There is no age limit.
Yes, you can re-submit an application, but please note that participation in the ZFF Summit Climber is limited to one time only.
The application process consists of two steps:
You must indicate your motivation directly in the online application form. It is a good idea to plan ahead and type your answers in advance in a separate document. You can then copy them directly into the application form. Please be careful not to exceed the maximum number of characters. We will strictly read only the allowed number.
A good advice is: we don't expect you to write a novel, just try to be personal.
8 participants will be selected from all complete applications received.
Shortly after we have received your application, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt by e-mail. It is expected that by the end of August, all those who have submitted a valid application will receive feedback on the selection.
Official ZFF Summit Climber Hotel Partner: Locke am Platz
The Zurich Summit is the largest industry event at the Zurich Film Festival. The boutique conference takes place on the first weekend of the festival at The Dolder Grand. A top-class line-up of international and national film producers, sales executives and creators in film, TV and entertainment, as well as technology entrepreneurs and financiers meet to debate the latest and most groundbreaking trends in the industry.
