This is what the new ZFF Festival Centre looks like

➡️ Click here for the video visualisation of the new festival centre

➡️ Click here for the video interview with the project manager Eveline Walz

«For our 20th anniversary, we are presenting a centre that is more innovative, more open and more sustainable, both architecturally and in its spirit», Christian Jungen, Artistic Director of the ZFF emphasises. «The new centre is primarily geared towards our audience for our visitors to experience the Stars as closely as possible. An even more open green carpet and a new outdoor deck ensure that film talents and audiences meet even more directly.»

This proximity to the audience is accentuated by the barrier-free access to all floors, which includes a new ramp that allows all visitors to access the outdoor deck.

Where you can meet the filmmakers

The new festival centre creates a vibrant space for encounters and interactions that focuses even more strongly on cultural exchange. «We want to create a space where the cinema experience continues, where people can meet before and after the screenings to exchange impressions and where the audience has the opportunity to get in touch with the filmmakers», says Christian Jungen, Artistic Director of the ZFF. Apart from being a place to marvel, the new centre invites you to spend time with friends in a pleasant atmosphere, enjoy a drink or work in an inspiring environment. With an attractive bar, the festival centre will be the ideal place for cultural encounters and productive moments. Furthermore, festival tickets and merchandise will, as usual, be available for purchase at the new centre.

Innovative design meets sustainable construction

With its modular design, which allows for flexible adaptations and long-term use, the festival centre sets new standards in event architecture. By using Swiss wood, we are building a sustainable festival centre and reducing our CO2 emissions. Thanks to standardised modules and reusable components, the festival centre can be reassembled for different events, which extends the lifespan of the materials and reduces the need for new resources. The conscious use of resources is also reflected in the local production and short transport routes, thus minimising the ecological footprint.

Unforgettable moments on the Sechseläutenplatz

The renovation of the ZFF Festival Centre is not only a reaction to the natural end of the life cycle of the existing structure, but also a proactive measure to meet the evolving expectations of the visitors, the requirements of the film industry and the needs of our partners.

The ZFF offers customised experiences for partners: A terrace and versatile rooms are available for our partners and clients to realise unique events with their stakeholders in a cosy festival atmosphere – very close to the Stars. The interior spaces, on the other hand, enlivened by collaborations in the areas of design and gastronomy, offer an attractive platform for partners who help shape the festival centre. By integrating an LED surface, we are focusing on a lively, eye-catching and target group-oriented presentation of the festival programme that brings the cinema experience directly to our audience.

«The new festival centre is an open place for encounters and cultural exchange. In addition, we are offering our partners and sponsors unique hospitality events in an atmospheric setting. We are looking forward to unforgettable moments on Sechseläutenplatz», says Roger Crotti, President of the ZFF.

Thank you Züri!

The ZFF would like to thank all its partners and supporters who are helping to make this vision a reality. Special thanks go to the Baugarten Foundation. The foundation supports social, cultural and scientific projects focussing on the city and canton of Zurich, true to the motto: From and for Zurich! We would also like to thank our event partner Aroma in collaboration with VierD as well as the city and canton of Zurich for their support.