He is known for films such as MIAMI VICE, IN BRUGE, and THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER: Oscar-nominated actor Colin Farrell will receive the Golden Icon Award at this year's Zurich Film Festival and will accept the award in person on September 27. He is being honored for his career and his remarkable performance in BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER, which he will present at the festival alongside Swiss director and Academy Award winner Edward Berger.
From Dublin to Hollywood: Colin Farrell has had an impressive career in film and television spanning more than twenty years. A globally recognized actor, Farrell most recently appeared in the HBO series THE PENGUIN, for which he received a Golden Globe, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Critics' Choice Award. Farrell gained international fame through films such as MIAMI VICE, MINORITY REPORT, IN BRUGES, THE BATMAN, THE LOBSTER, THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER, and THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN. He has proven himself to be a versatile actor who can effortlessly portray broken antiheroes, melancholic outsiders, and quirky comedic characters. For his role in THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, Farrell received a Golden Globe in 2023, an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, and the Best Actor Award in Venice. Farrell has worked with legendary directors such as Sofia Coppola, Yorgos Lanthimos, Woody Allen, Terry Gilliam, Steven Spielberg, Oliver Stone, Michael Mann, and Tim Burton.
Colin Farrell is expected to make a personal appearance as a star guest in Zurich for the first time, after three of his films have already been shown at the ZFF in recent years. On Saturday, September 27, he will present his new film, BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER, to the audience in person. During the gala premiere, Farrell will receive the Golden Icon Award in recognition of his role in the film and his career. Farrell will also lead a ZFF Masters on Sunday, September 28.
BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER is directed by Edward Berger, who received the A Tribute to... Award at the ZFF in 2024. His latest film, based on Lawrence Osborne's 2014 novel: Under the vibrant neon lights of Macau's casinos, British gambler «Lord Doyle» (Colin Farrell) tries to escape his past and his mounting debts. As the relentless debt collector Cynthia Blythe (Tilda Swinton) closes in on him, he encounters the mysterious Dao-Ming, who might hold the key to his salvation. This is the third of Bergers films being shown at Zurich Film Festival, after ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT and CONCLAVE.
BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER © Netflix
An Essential Voice in Auteur Cinema
«Colin Farrell is one of the most passionate and charismatic character actors in auteur cinema», says Festival Director Christian Jungen. «He’s just as convincing as a villain as he is a romantic lead, or in complex roles that fall somewhere in between—like in Edward Berger’s irresistible tragicomedy BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER, where Colin captivates us as a roguish gambler and makes us root for his character. Colin Farrell has already worked with many great filmmakers, but under Edward Berger’s direction, he truly reaches new heights. He carries the film from beginning to end and takes us on an emotional roller coaster that makes us laugh, cry, and marvel. For this outstanding performance, which could earn him another Oscar nomination, and for his invaluable contribution to auteur cinema, we are honoring Colin Farrell with the Golden Icon Award. The fact that Colin will receive the award in the presence of Edward Berger, last year’s award recipient, makes the occasion even more special. We've shown several of Colin's films at ZFF over the past years, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Zurich in person for the very first time.»
Colin Farrell is also delighted about receiving the Golden Icon Award and coming to Zurich: «I’d like to thank Zurich Film Festival for inviting BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER to the festival, and for honoring me with the Golden Icon Award. It’ll be my first time visiting the beautiful city of Zurich and I’m beyond excited to walk its streets, drink its coffee and move amongst its people. It's both generous and humbling to have my years of making film recognized by such a storied festival, one that champions film from all corners of the globe. It will be an absolute pleasure to visit later this year and we are thrilled to be bringing BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER to audiences there.»
