Tonight at the Opernhaus Zurich, the main prizes in the Competition sections of the 22nd Zurich Film Festival were awarded. The Golden Eyes went to FLESH AND FUEL by Pierre le Gall in the Feature Film Competition and to BUCKS HARBOR by Pete Muller in the Documentary Film Competition. Each of the prizes is endowed with CHF 25,000. The Audience Award goes to MILA / MARIJA by Andrina Mračnikar.
Every year, the Zurich Film Festival gives emerging filmmakers a platform to present their work to an international audience. Both Competition categories, Documentary and Feature Film, are open to first, second, or third directorial works. All competition entries are screened as world premieres, European, or Swiss premieres. Beyond these two main sections, further awards are presented, including the ZFF Kids Jury Award and the Audience Award.
«My first festival as Director could not have been more wonderful. At the Zurich Film Festival, the new voices of cinema meet the true greats. The Golden Eyes for FLESH AND FUEL by Pierre le Gall and BUCKS HARBOR by Pete Muller, and the Audience Award for MILA / MARIJA by Andrina Mračnikar, show just how much courage and originality there is in filmmakers presenting one of their first works», says Reta Guetg, Festival Director of the Zurich Film Festival. «At the same time, this year we were able to celebrate more premieres by German-language directors than ever before: Wim Wenders, Doris Dörrie, Andreas Dresen, Volker Schlöndorff, Valeska Grisebach, Frauke Finsterwalder, and Ulrike Ottinger. They were joined by international directing heavyweights such as Danny Boyle, Richard Linklater, Martin McDonagh, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Jesse Eisenberg, and Anton Corbijn. It is precisely these encounters between generations that define our festival.»
Feature Film Competition – FLESH AND FUEL by Pierre le Gall
14 first, second, and third features by directors from around the world are competing in this category.
At the 22nd ZFF, FLESH AND FUEL by Pierre le Gall wins the Golden Eye.
Jury statement: At a time when isolation has become a means of protecting ourselves from the world and from one another, FLESH AND FUEL offers a compelling and deeply cinematic reflection on the fundamental human need for connection. With exquisite sensitivity, the film explores how the desire to love and be loved demands that we confront, and ultimately break through the physical and emotional boundaries we construct around ourselves.
Special Mention 1: THE GUEST by Mads Mengel
Jury statement: THE GUEST explores the complexity of family relationships with remarkable insight. Delving into the grey areas where emotional truths become uncertain, the film is a compelling and at times a painful experience, shaped by nuanced writing, rigorous direction, and an exceptional cast delivering state-of-the-art performances. Together, they bring to life a story that resonates with profound honesty.
Special Mention 2: A GIRL UNKNOWN by Zou Jing
Jury statement: A GIRL UNKNOWN is an intimate yet sweeping portrait of a young girl confronted with the violence of the adult world. Zou Jing observes her protagonist with rare precision, giving the film a remarkable emotional depth that deeply moved us. We were equally struck by the film’s aesthetic mastery, making it one of the most beautifully directed films in this year’s competition.
Special Mention 3: DUA by Blerta Basholli
Jury statement: We would also like to extend a special mention to DUA, which resonated with us for its vivid portrayal of youth. The film follows a young girl in Kosovo during the Serbian military occupation of the 1990s as she navigates the challenges of entering womanhood. It is a striking and relevant story showing how political, ethnic, and sexual oppression translates to the individual, and how that history continues to echo in the present.
This year's Feature Film Competition Jury is made up of the following members:
Cary Joji Fukunaga (Jury president) / Director / USA
Ella Rumpf / Actress / Switzerland
Fernando Eimbcke / Director / Mexico
Julie Billy / Producer / France
Walter Fasano / Director, film editor und screenwriter / Italy
Documentary Competition – BUCKS HARBOR by Pete Muller
In the Documentary Film Competition, 14 first, second, and third films by different directors are competing for the Golden Eye.
This year's winner is BUCKS HARBOR by Pete Muller.
Jury statement: Merging the world of humans and extreme nature BUCKS HARBOR is a raw indepth portrait of fragile masculinity in an underprivileged community in rural North America facing climate change and the loss of livelihood. While in times of polarization people are often presented stereotypically, this film provides a much needed counter narrative in an empathetic way. It provides a deeply human story at eye level with its protagonists, in an impressively convincing visual style.
Special Mention 1: ONE IN A MILLION by Itab Azzam and Jack Macinnes
Jury statement: The Jury’s Special Mention goes to ONE IN A MILLION, for its brave and persistent portrayal of a family navigating the complex aftermath of fleeing Syria for Europe, spanning a decade — from the outbreak of the war to the overthrow of the Assad regime. It strikes us with its intimate look at their relationships, especially that of a girl turning into a young woman and her father loosing his ground, and its precise observations. By its reflective and respectful approach, it offers a seldom seen depth of the characters and their different coping, opening a critical dialogue on democracy, human rights, and belonging.
Special Mention 2: MY HOME OF WIND AND SAND by Patrick Wally
Jury statement: In this beautifully shot film we are allowed to develop an intimate relationship to the main protagonist Najla, a young native Sahauri activist and advocate. Based in a refugee camp in Algeria, she sets out to the UN to fight for Western Sahara's independence – a fight often silenced and forgotten by the international community. As we follow her over the period of a decade, we witness her restless struggle to achieve justice and peace for her people and finally herself. Decolonialisation, ecojustice and the freedom to live a self-determined life are big goals which still seem hardly possible to achieve. Najlas and the directors endurance impressed us equally and resulted in a film that touched us deeply.
The Documentary Competition Jury for the 22nd ZFF is made up of the following members:
Sine Plambech (Jury president) / Film director and anthropologist / Denmark
Alfredo de Juan / Cinematographer / UK
Anne Köhncke / Producer / Norway
Jela Hasler / Director / Switzerland
Nikolas Geyrhalter / Director, cinematographer and film producer / Austria
Additional awards presented at the 22nd Zurich Film Festival:
ZFF Critics Jury Award – EBJÄ! ADOLF WÖLFLI by Heinz Bütler
The Critics Jury Award, chosen by the jury as best Swiss film in the program (excluding Gala Premieres), went to EBJÄ! ADOLF WÖLFLI by Heinz Bütler.
Jury statement: We decide to award the Critics Jury Prize to EBJÄ! ADOLF WÖLFLI by Heinz Bütler. The film avoids the conventions of the traditional artist portrait, instead tracing the ongoing revelations of a complex legacy, that of an important Swiss artist and his work. Through sombre imagery and thoughtful sound design, it creates a fascinating contrast with the loud and imposing body of work it explores. Within just a few minutes, the audience is drawn into Wölfli’s world that is simultaneously divine and infernal, revealing the therapeutic power of artistic creation.
The ZFF Critics Jury of the 22nd ZFF consists of:
Yun-hua Chen / Film Critic / Germany
Manolis Kranakis / Film Critic / Greece
Selina Hangartner / Film Critic / Switzerland
Science Award – WE ARE STARDUST von Elisabeth Rasmussen
Jury statement: The Science Award goes to WE ARE STARDUST. The film shows how openness, passion, and persistent research can lead to groundbreaking scientific discoveries that inspire the entire research community.
The Science Award Jury of the 22nd ZFF consists of the following members:
Dr. Mirko Bischofberger / Expert in science communication
Prof. Dr. Thomas Michaels / Assistant Professor of Soft and Living Matter Physics, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich
Prof. Dr. Nicola Spaldin / Professor of Materials Theory at ETH Zurich and Vice President of the European Research Council
Audience Award – MILA / MARIJA by Andrina Mračnikar
ZFF for Kids Jury Award – DAS GEHEIMNIS DER GESTOHLENEN MASKE by Nancy Mac Granaky-Quaye
ZFF for Kids Audience Award – DAS GEHEIMNIS DER GESTOHLENEN MASKE by Nancy Mac Granaky-Quaye
Filmpreis der Zürcher Kirchen – COLORS OF WHITE ROCK by Khoroldorj Choijoovanchig
Best International Film Score – Semin Son
These honorary awards were presented at the 22nd Zurich Film Festival:
Golden Icon Award – Julianne Moore
Academy Award winner Julianne Moore received the Golden Icon Award in recognition of her extraordinary career and her performance in the new film THE DEBUT. She accepted the honorary award in person in Zurich, accompanied by director Jesse Eisenberg.
Golden Eye Award – Tom Hiddleston
British actor Tom Hiddleston was honoured with the Golden Eye Award for his outstanding career in film, television, and theatre. Together with co-star Willem Dafoe and BAFTA-nominated director Jennifer Peedom, he opened this year's festival on 24 September with the European premiere of TENZING.
Golden Eye Award – Naomi Watts
Oscar-nominated actress Naomi Watts received the Golden Eye Award for her outstanding performance in THE HOUSEWIFE by Ben Shirinian. In Zurich, she presented her latest work, in which she plays the mysterious wife of an alleged Nazi.
Golden Eye Award – Luna Wedler
Swiss actress Luna Wedler received the Golden Eye Award. It was presented to her by Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider at the Opening Night on 24 September. She is the first Swiss person and the youngest actress ever to receive the award. This year, Wedler could be seen and heard in two films at ZFF: in Frauke Finsterwalder's EUROTRASH and as a voice in the children's film DE RÄGEBOGEFISCH.
Golden Eye Award – John Turturro
Emmy winner, cult actor, screenwriter, and director John Turturro received the Golden Eye Award for his brilliant performance in THE ONLY LIVING PICKPOCKET IN NEW YORK, directed and written by Noah Segan. Turturro accepted the award on 26 September at the blue Cinema Corso.
Golden Eye Award – Leïla Bekhti
The Zurich Film Festival honoured French actress Leïla Bekhti with the Golden Eye Award, recognising both her outstanding career and her remarkable performance in VIOLETTE, the new film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The award was presented to Bekhti on 1 October.
Career Achievement Award – Richard Linklater
American film director Richard Linklater received the Career Achievement Award at this year's Zurich Film Festival in recognition of his lifetime achievement. The award was presented to him on 28 September at the Filmpodium Zürich. During the festival, ZFF presented a comprehensive retrospective of his work in cooperation with the Filmpodium Zürich and the Cinémathèque suisse.
Career Achievement Award – Gabriel Yared
ZFF honoured the acclaimed composer and Academy Award winner Gabriel Yared with the Career Achievement Award. The Golden Eye for his lifetime achievement was presented to him on 1 October 2026 during the "Cinema in Concert" gala. It was the sixth consecutive year that ZFF has honoured an Oscar-winning film composer. Yared also served as jury president of the 14th International Film Music Competition.
Career Achievement Award – DCM
On the occasion of the screening of Wim Wenders' documentary FROM INSIDE OUT – DIE ARCHITEKTUR DES PETER ZUMTHOR, the Zurich Film Festival honoured the production and distribution company DCM, its co-founders Marc Schmidheiny, Christoph Daniel, Dario Suter, and Joel Brandeis, and its Swiss managing director, Stephanie Candinas, with the Career Achievement Award for their long-standing commitment to film culture.
A Tribute To … Award – Martin McDonagh
Academy Award winner Martin McDonagh received the prestigious A Tribute To ... Award at the 22nd Zurich Film Festival for his body of work in film. The honorary award was presented to the Irish director and screenwriter during the Gala Premiere of his new film WILD HORSE NINE.
Game Changer Award – Glen Basner
Glen Basner, founder and CEO of FilmNation Entertainment, received the Game Changer Award at this year's Zurich Summit. ZFF recognised Basner for his outstanding achievements, his excellent taste in film, and his significant contribution to the film industry.
You can find the official media release here.
