ZFF Summit Climber

Reaching New Heights!

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.

Travel expenses to and from the event must be covered by the participants themselves. Members of Europa Distribution will receive partial travel cost support from their respective organisation.

Applications are now open for the ZFF Summit Climber 2025.

Deadline for applications: July, 27, 2025.

Apply now!

Programme

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.

Competitive Advantage

Differentiate yourself from other junior executives and gain competitive advantage by joining the ZFF Summit Climber.

The programme will provide you with:

A comprehensive understanding of transatlantic financing structures
An appropriation of the rules of engagement for transatlantic collaboration
A unique opportunity to expand your North American and European network, facilitated by introduction to Summit attendees
Deepen your knowledge of current challenges in film sales and distribution
Input on how to collaborate with producers

The ZFF Summit Climber Package

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.

The package for selected participants includes:
Participation in the three-day programme
Mentoring support from Julia Short and Beatrice Neumann during the programme
ZFF Industry Business Accreditation for the respective Zurich Film Festival
First-class accommodation during the programme (3 nights)
Breakfast, selected lunches and dinners
Invitation to numerous industry and networking events
PLEASE NOTE: Travel expenses to and from the event must be covered by the participants themselves.

Mission

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.

Programme Features

Attendance of the Zurich Summit key sessions and programme at The Dolder Grand
Breakout sessions about "How to package & finance films in North America & Europe" with high-profile Speaker
Group sessions and briefing/debriefing
Mentoring support during the programme from Julia Short and Beatrice Neumann
Social & Networking Events

Exclusive masterclasses about “How to package & finance films in North America & Europe” with high-profile Speaker – accessible only to the eight participants of the ZFF Summit Climber.

Timing Overview

Day 1: Program starts at 1 PM (expected arrival in the morning). Kick-off and masterclass.

Day 2: Attendance of the Zurich Summit conference's key sessions and of the participants only masterclasses.

Day 3: Zurich Summit Tennis Tournament and Zurich Summit Dinner and other programme

Day 4: Departure

Application

How can apply?

Please read the eligibility criteria below carefully before submitting your application.

Application criteria

An application for the ZFF Summit Climber will be accepted if the following criteria are met:

At least 2 years of professional experience in film sales, distribution or sales (such as Junior Sales Manager, Junior Buyer or Acquisitions Manager, or entry-level finance professional.
Fluent in written and spoken English
The online application form was submitted completely and correctly, and the application deadline was 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]

How to apply?

You’ll find answers to frequently asked questions in the FAQ section below.

If you have any questions regarding the application process or the ZFF Summit Climber, feel free to contact [email protected].

The application process consists of two steps:

Prepare the necessary documents to complete the online form.
Complete and submit the online form no later than Sunday, July 27 2025,at 23:59 PM CEST.

You will need the following documents for your application:

Motivation
Professional Reference
Headshot (in color)

Motivation

In the form, you will be asked to submit three brief texts about your motivation. It is recommended that you prepare these in advance in a separate document so you can easily copy and paste them into the form.

Please tell us why you wish to attend the Summit Climber. Give some thought as to why you wish to attend at this point in your career. What impact do you hope your attendance might have on your career path? (max. 3.500 characters incl. spaces)
What do you hope to gain and learn by attending this initiative? Are there any specific knowledge areas you would like to know/learn more about? (max. 3.500 characters incl.spaces)
As part of the programme you most likely will have the chance to meet at least one of the Hollywood agents (e.g. CAA). What question(s) would you like to ask them? (max. 3.500 characters incl.spaces)

Professional Reference

We ask applicants to provide one reference as part of this application.

Professional Reference: Please provide a written reference. It should be from someone in the industry with whom you have worked extensively during the last year.

We ask all applicants to submit the questions below for their professional referee to answer:

How do you know the applicant?
Why is the applicant a good candidate for the Summit Climber?
In your opinion how will this programme benefit the applicant?

When choosing a referee, please note the following guidelines, the most useful referee is someone who:

works or has worked with you in a professional context during the last year;
is able to attest as to your performance and character;
is an international executive or producer of some stature.

Headshot

A color headshot (1500x1500 px, .png or .jpg with a maximum of 80% compression). This image will be used for communication and promotional purposes related to the ZFF Summit Climber.

Application form

Participants

Find out more about our ZFF Summit Climbers and alumni of the past years!

All ZFF Summit Climber Alumni of the past years

Summit Climber Speaker

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.

Speakers 2024

Jonathan Rutter

Executive Director

Premier

Katie Irwin

Agent & Co-Head of International

WME Independent

Maren Olson

EVP Film

30WEST

Roeg Sutherland

Co-Head of Media Finance & International Film Group

CAA

Tom Quinn

CEO

NEON

Speakers 2023

Niels Alberg

Co-Founder & CEO

PUBLIKUM

Robert Walak

Headd of Film & TV

Iconoclast

Roeg Sutherland

Head of Media Finance

Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Tom Quinn

CEO

NEON

Speaker 2022

David M. Taghioff

CEO

Library Pictures

Kristen Figeroid

Managing Director & EVP

Sierra/Affinity

Roeg Sutherland

Head of Media Finance

Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Tom Quinn

CEO

NEON

FAQs

What is the ZFF Summit Climber?

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.

When will the ZFF Summit Climber 2025 take place?

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).

What does participation in the ZFF Summit Climber include?

Participation in the three-day programme
Mentoring support from Julia Short and Beatrice Neumann during the programme
ZFF Industry Business Accreditation for the respective Zurich Film Festival
First-class accommodation during the programme (3 nights)
Breakfast and selected dinners
Invitation to numerous industry and networking events
PLEASE NOTE: Travel expenses to and from the event must be covered by the participants themselves.

How does the ZFF Summit Climber Programme look like?

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

Breakout sessions during the conference
Masterclasses
Group meetings
Mentoring support
Numerous networking events (e.g. Zurich Summit Charity Tennis Tournament and Zurich Summit Dinner).

Who can apply?

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.

Can I apply as a producer?

No, the ZFF Summit Climber is reserved for junior executives from Distribution, Acquisitions and Film Sales. Producers can apply for the ZFF Academy.

Is there an age limit?

No. There is no age limit.

I have already applied once and my application was unsuccessful, can I apply again?

Yes, you can re-submit an application, but please note that participation in the ZFF Summit Climber is limited to one time only.

How can I apply?

The application process consists of two steps:

1. Prepare the necessary documents to complete the online form.

2. Complete and submit the online form no later than Sunday, July 27 2025,at 23:59 PM CEST

What should be considered in your motivation letter?

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.

How many participants will be selected from the applications?

8 participants will be selected from all complete applications received.

How long does the selection process take?

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.

Travel Expenses

Travel expenses to and from the event must be covered by the participants themselves.

Thanks to our partnership, members of Europa International and Europa Distribution will receive partial travel cost support from their respective organisation.

Official ZFF Summit Climber Hotel Partner: Locke am Platz

Official ZFF Summit Climber Collaboration Partner: EUROPA DISTRIBUTION & EUROPA INTERNATIONAL

Zurich Summit

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.

Zurich Summit