© Pascal Bovey for ZFF
This evening, the main prizes of the competitions at the 21st Zurich Film Festival were awarded at the Opera House. The Golden Eyes go to FATHER by Tereza Nvotová in the Feature Film Competition and I LOVE YOU, I LEAVE YOU by Zurich-based Moris Freiburghaus in the Documentary Film Competition. This marks the first time the Golden Eye in the Documentary Film Competition has been awarded to a Swiss film. James McAvoy also celebrated his directorial debut in Zurich with his new film CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’.
Every year, the Zurich Film Festival gives up-and-coming filmmakers the chance to showcase their work to an international audience. Fourteen first, second and third works by directors from around the world compete for the Golden Eye in the two competition sections, Documentary Film and Feature Film. All competition entries are shown as world, European or Swiss premieres. Other prizes are also awarded, including the ZFF Children's Jury Prize and the Audience Award.
FATHER by Tereza Nvotová wins the Feauture Film Competition
FATHER
He was a man who had everything: a loving wife, a young daughter, and a successful business. But one hot summer day, he makes a tragic mistake that shatters his life, threatens his marriage, and leaves him alone in guilt and despair. FATHER is a gripping thriller based on true events, with powerful performances from the cast.
Jury statement
This film tells the story of an ordinary family facing extraordinary circumstances. Its central character is neither a villain nor a hero, but a flawed human being caught in a single, devastating mistake. The film shows how that mistake can shatter what we love most, and yet it is, at its heart, about compassion, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit. We were deeply moved by the craft and the humanity of this film. It is our honor to present the Golden Eye Award to Tereza Nvotová for FATHER..
The feature film jury was chaired by American director and producer Reinaldo Marcus Green (KING RICHARD). Alongside German actress Leonie Benesch (HELDIN), Italian producer Carlo Cresto-Dina (LA CHIMERA), Iranian director Ali Asgari (DIVINE COMEDY) and Swiss film curator Nicole Reinhardt, he selected the winner of the awards from among the 14 feature films in competition.
Special Mentions
LOVE LETTERS
We loved LOVE LETTERS by Alice Douard because of its brilliantly composed script, intuitive and on point direction, gorgeous acting and timely observation on what it means to prepare to bring a child into this world.
LEFT-HANDED GIRL
LEFT-HANDED GIRL by Shih-Ching Tsou is a luminous gem - painful, sweet and humorous at the same time. With its carefully crafted camera work, editing pace and graceful performance from all the actors big and small it tells a convincing story that challenges traditional family values and asks how one finds its very own place in this world.
I LOVE YOU, I LEAVE YOU by Moris Freiburghaus wins the Documentary Competition
I LOVE YOU, I LEAVE YOU
After more than twenty years, Swiss musician Dino Brandão travels to Angola, his father's homeland, for a concert. Confronted with his father's past and questions about his own identity, Dino experiences a manic episode. A deeply personal documentary delves into friendship and dealing with mental illness in one's own close circle.
Jury statement
We loved all three films, but when it came to our winning film, we all agreed that we had never seen anything like it before. In capturing his best friend’s battle with manic episodes over the course of a year, Moris Freiburghaus’ bold directorial debut gives us an unflinching look at mental illness and the unshakeable bonds of friendship and family. For its beautifully rendered and cinematically inventive style, it’s a massive honor for me to present the Golden Eye Award for Best Documentary—for the first time in the festival’s history—to a Swiss film … I LOVE YOU, I LEAVE YOU.
The documentary film competition was chaired by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Matthew Heineman (AMERICAN SYMPHONY). Joining him will be award-winning American producer Odessa Rae (THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB), Emmy Award-winning director David Osit (PREDATORS), Danish producer Helle Faber (MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN) and Swiss editor Katharina Bhend (WIR ERBEN). Together, they selected the winner of the Golden Eye in the documentary film category.
Special Mentions
THE GROUND BENEATH OUR FEET
The beautifully shot film THE GROUND BENEATH OUR FEET by Yrsa Roca Fannberg, filmed in an Icelandic nursing home, captures scenes of life gently transitioning into death. For its compassionate cinematography, patient editing, and calm yet powerful depiction of the beauty found at the end of life, the jury is pleased to award THE GROUND BENEATH OUR FEET a Special Mention.
LIFE AFTER SIHAM
The jury appreciated the playful exuberance, painful honesty, and operatic dimension of a film that explores how the death of a parent impacts the lives of those left behind. The film was made with a daring spirit, shaped by a director deeply rooted in cinematic tradition. The jury is pleased to award a Special Mention to Namir Abdel Messeeh’s LIFE AFTER SIHAM.
Also awarded at the 21st Zurich Film Festival:
Audience Award – I LOVE YOU, I LEAVE YOU by Moris Freiburghaus
ZFF Critics’ Jury Award – MEMORY OF PRINCESS MUMBI by Damien Hauser
Film Prize of the Churches of Zurich – LIFE AFTER SIHAM by Namir Abdel Messeeh
ZFF for Kids Audience Award – DER PRANK by Benjamin Heisenberg
ZFF for Kids Jury Award – DER PRANK by Benjamin Heisenberg
James McAvoy at the 21st ZFF
Another special highlight of this year's Award Night was the presence of James McAvoy as the guest of honour, celebrating his directorial debut with his new film, CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN'. In the afternoon, he was greeted by his fans at Sechseläutenplatz in front of the Opera House. He then presented his new film at the Arthouse Le Paris cinema and the Opera House. California Schemin' was shown as the closing film after the awards ceremony during the Awards Night.
You can find more impressions of yesterday here.
