Year after year, the ZFF brings world stars to Zurich. Around the festival, there are plenty of opportunities to get close to Hollywood celebrities for once or to get profound insights into their artistic work.
Golden Icon Award
Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet is a true icon of cinema and shines through her versatility in big studio blockbusters as well as small indie productions. Her multifaceted choice of roles and her long Hollywood career make her a favourite with audiences of multiple generations.
A household name: Kate Winslet is one of the most important actors of our time and has delivered brilliant performances as the leading actress in some of the most successful films in history: from TITANIC to ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, THE READER and SENSE AND SENSIBILITY to AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER. She has worked with legendary directors such as James Cameron, Peter Jackson, Sam Mendes, Jane Campion, Michel Gondry, Marc Forster, Todd Haynes and Danny Boyle. Winslet is the star guest at the 20th Zurich Film Festival and will be honoured with the Golden Icon Award for her outstanding acting achievement and her impressive career. Her new film tells the story of photographer Lee Miller (1907–1977), who made a name for herself as a correspondent for British Vogue during the Second World War. Winslet embodies the fearless Lee–one of the most important female war photographers of the 20th century–on her mission to reveal the hidden truths of the Third Reich. LEE was directed by Oscar-nominated director Ellen Kuras, reuniting Winslet and Kuras for the first time since ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. In addition to her role as the leading actress, Winslet is also involved in the film as a co-producer.
A Tribute to ... Award
Edward Berger
Born in West Germany, Swiss and Austrian director Edward Berger is considered one of the most important filmmakers of his generation. He is known for his versatile work. In films and series, he skillfully navigates a wide variety of genres, always finding the perfect style and tone.
In 2022, he presented the European premiere of his film IALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT at the ZFF, which enjoyed great international success and won numerous awards, including four Oscars®. Now his latest film CONCLAVE, a gripping Vatican thriller, is considered a hot contender for several Oscar nominations in 2025. With films and series such as JACK (2014), ALL MY LOVING (2019) and PATRICK MELROSE (2018), Edward Berger has created other important works that have cemented his reputation as one of the leading directors on the European and international film scene.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Emil Steinberger
Probably the most popular Swiss cabaret artist of all time shows his personal side in the documentary about his life, TYPISCH EMIL – VOM LOSLASEN UND NEUANFANGEN. For decades, the Lucerne-born comedian has been delighting audiences not only on both sides of the Röstigraben, but also far beyond the country's borders with his sketches.
Emil Steinberger will be honoured for his life's work at the 20th Zurich Film Festival and will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award in person. Accompanied by companions, as well as his wife Niccel and other prominent guests, Emil will present the new documentary TYPISCH EMIL – VOM LOSLASSEN UND NEUANFANGEN by Phil Meyer at the gala premiere, where he will be honoured with the Golden Eye. The documentary TYPISCH EMIL goes beyond a nostalgic look at the iconic stage characters and delves into a world in which Emil fights against the shadows of his childhood and the pressures of fame to find his place as a celebrated comedian. Last but not least, TYPISCH EMIL is the story of a great, romantic love. A moving documentary about 90 years of Emil Steinberger, in which the artist's unmistakable mischievousness shines through again and again.
Career Achievement Award
Howard Shore
Howard Shore is one of the most renowned composers of our time and a prodigious talent whose works have made film history and whose music is performed in concert halls around the world by the most prestigious orchestras.
The Zurich Film Festival annually awards honorary prizes to significant filmmakers whose works have shaped and enriched the film landscape. This year, the ZFF honors Howard Shore's multifaceted life’s work with the Career Achievement Award. «Howard Shore is one of the greatest film composers of our time», explains Christian Jungen, Artistic Director of ZFF. «He has written iconic scores for milestones in film history such as LORD OF THE RINGS or THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. He is a musician who listens well before composing and puts his melodies entirely at the service of the stories. He is also distinguished by enormous versatility and can elevate films in any genre with his music. We owe intense and unforgettable cinematic experiences to Shore’s music. »
Game Changer Award
Roeg Sutherland
Co-Head of the Media Finance department and Co-Head of the International Film Group, Roeg Sutherland also serves on the Board at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Based in Los Angeles, Sutherland specializes in the packaging and representation of independently financed film, television, and digital content. In addition, he consults with select class-leading producers and financiers on their media investments. In just the past 5 years, films packaged and/or sold by CAA Media Finance have generated approximately $5 billion at the worldwide box office.
Under Sutherland’s leadership CAA Media Finance has become one of the largest suppliers of feature films into the U.S. theatrical marketplace, brokering more than 100 distribution deals per year for films with budgets ranging from $100K to more than $150M. In addition the films noted above, He has led the packaging, financing and sales of such projects as the Best Picture Academy Award-winning CODA, CONCLAVE, HIT MAN, MAY DECEMBER, THE HOLDOVERS, LONGLEGS, THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO SEVEN, BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM, PIECES OF A WOMAN, and THE FATHER, plus GREYHOUND, MALCOLM & MARIE, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, HER, SICARIO, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS, and YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE; plus many others.
Since early on, Sutherland has been an integral part of the Zurich Film Festival by establishing strong connections between the ZFF and Hollywood. He will be honored with the Game Changer Award for his outstanding achievements and contributions within the film industry during this year’s Zurich Summit, which takes place in October within the framework of the 20th Zurich Film Festival.
Golden Eye Award
Jude Law
Jude Law is one of the most influential and versatile actors of his generation. He has delivered brilliant performances in classics of film history, bringing an unmatched depth and intensity to each of his roles with his charismatic presence.
On the path to legend: Jude Law has already worked with numerous renowned directors such as Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Sam Mendes, Sally Potter, Woody Allen, Wong Kar-Wai, Terry Gilliam, David Cronenberg, and Wes Anderson. He has shone in cinematic classics like THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY (1999), COLD MOUNTAIN (2003), THE HOLIDAY (2006), SHERLOCK HOLMES (2009), and THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (2014). Law will open the 20th Zurich Film Festival as a star guest and will be honoured with the Golden Eye Award for his outstanding acting achievements and impressive career. At the ZFF Opening Night, Law will present his film THE ORDER, from renowned director Justin Kurzel. In the thriller, he portrays FBI agent Terry, who is on the trail of a group of neo-Nazi terrorists. THE ORDER sheds light on the machinations of far-right circles in the USA in 1983 – a topic that is more relevant today than ever. In addition to his role as the lead actor, Law also serves as the film's producer.
Golden Eye Award
Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson returns to the silver screen with an outstanding performance and plays the role of a lifetime in THE LAST SHOWGIRL. The former Baywatch Girl is truly experiencing a revival and shines with her emotional portrayal of Shelley.
Pamela Anderson is a Canadian American actress, model and activist. She rose to international fame in the 1990s with her role as lifeguard C.J. Parker in the hit series Baywatch. However, her breakthrough came earlier, during the 1980s, when she worked as a model for Playboy magazine, appearing on the cover more times than anyone else. In addition to her work as an actress, Anderson is a passionate animal rights advocate and a long-time supporter of PETA. In 2023, the documentary PAMELA, A LOVE STORY was released, in which the iconic actress shares her life story. Anderson is set to attend the 20th Zurich Film Festival as a star guest and receive the Golden Eye Award for her versatile career and role in THE LAST SHOWGIRL.
Golden Eye Award
Alicia Vikander
Alicia Vikander is known as one of the most versatile actors of our time, brilliantly performing in auteur films as well as blockbusters. For her performance as Gerda Wegener in Tom Hooper’s THE DANISH GIRL, Vikander won several awards, including an Academy Award.
From Göteborg to Hollywood: The Swedish actress Alicia Vikander has showcased her versatility in various well-known films such as EX MACHINA, THE DANISH GIRL, ANNA KARENINA, JASON BOURNE, THE GREEN KNIGHT or TOMB RAIDER. In addition to her acting career, Vikander has made her mark as a producer. Under her own production banner, Vikarious Production, she debuted with the film EUPHORIA (2017), starring alongside Eva Green. Vikander last visited the ZFF to present the European premiere of the EUPHORIA. Vikander’s extensive filmography also includes titles such as FIREBRAND (2023), IRMA VEP (2022), BLUE BAYOU (2021), THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS (2016), SUBMERGENCE (2017), and THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. (2015). The ZFF will be honoring Alicia Vikander for her striking versatility with a Golden Eye Award. She will personally accept the award on October 8, before introducing her new film THE ASSESSMENT, in which she stars opposite Elizabeth Olsen. The film by director Fleur Fortuné tells the story of a society striving for perfection that is living in a world devastated by climate change, trying to optimize life - including the assessment of parenthood.
You can get up-close and personal with the ZFF Guests in Zurich at the following events:
At Sechseläutenplatz, the hub of the ZFF, the Green Carpet is rolled out to cue the start of the festival. This is where our guests appear to the delight of their fans and the general public_local, pose for photos and give interviews as they make their way to the movie theatre. Whether you plan to visit the Green Carpet or just happen to be strolling past Sechseläutenplatz, the chances are you'll cross paths here with a world-class star.
As part of the ZFF Masters, our audience finds itself in a cinema theatre to listen to talks with actors, directors, screenwriters or other film workers. In addition to offering insights into their creative work, guests often recite amusing anecdotes from their personal careers and are also available to answer audience questions.
Each year, the Gala section of the ZFF presents top-class auteur films with mass audience appeal and invites film workers to present their productions in person. This framework allows us to welcome numerous guests who answer questions before or after presenting their films to the public_local. This direct contact with film workers sets the ZFF cinema experience apart from the everyday cinema visit.
With film as its focus, the ZFF Talks series offers experts from various sectors the opportunity to explore controversial issues currently affecting the fields of culture, science and politics. The ZFF Talks are free of charge, open to the public_local and are announced together with the festival programme.
