One highlight follows another at this year's ZFF

© Andreas Rentz and Joshua Sammer

Yesterday was a day full of highlights: actor Russell Crowe was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Colin Farrell received the Golden Icon Award. Audiences were thrilled at the world premiere of MOMO, and fans on the green carpet were delighted to see Dylan O'Brien and Swiss actress Ella Rumpf.

After a rainy morning, the sun came out at around noon – just in time for Russell Crowe, who was eagerly awaited by numerous fans on the Sechseläutenplatz. The wait was worth it, as the New Zealand actor took plenty of time for autographs and selfies. Later in the evening, the Oscar winner was honoured for his lifetime's work and outstanding career with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Kongresshaus, where he also presented his new film, NUREMBERG.

Ein lächelnder Mann mit Sonnenbrille posiert für Fotos mit Fans hinter einer Absperrung. Ein Fan hält ein leuchtend gelbes Schild mit Sternen, einer Kamerazeichnung und den Worten "Mr. Crowe, machen Sie ein Selfie". Die Leute sind begeistert und machen Fotos.

© Joshua Sammer

In his laudatory speech, festival director Christian Jungen discussed Russell Crowe's role in the new film NUREMBERG: «It takes some courage when you get offered to play Hermann Göring to accept that role and if the film is made by a director who is a well-known screenwriter. It was said that Göring was very charismatic and kept the attention of everybody – almost likeable. And Russell walks this fine line between making him charismatic but not too sympathetic.»

Ein Mann in Anzug und Krawatte spricht auf der Bühne des Zurich Film Festival auf einem Podium, neben ihm stehen ein Mikrofon und eine Trophäe.

© Andreas Rentz

In his speech, Russell Crowe thanked the audience: «Ultimately, when I go to work, I carry your expectations with me – because I want to touch your heart. I want to open your mind, to thrill you, to scare you and to confront you. I want to make you cry and make you laugh. I want to celebrate humanity with you and for you. You are the reason I go to work. »

Golden Icon Award for Colin Farrell

This year's Golden Icon Award was presented to Irish actor Colin Farrell. Farrell traveled to the 21st Zurich Film Festival together with director Edward Berger and received a warm welcome on the Green Carpet. The two also presented their latest drama, BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER, to the Zurich audience yesterday evening. The Golden Icon Award was presented by Künzli Schuhe.

Ein Mann in einem grauen Anzug spricht an einem Podium mit einem Schild "Zurich Film Festival", lächelt und gestikuliert. Zwei weitere Männer in Anzügen stehen in der Nähe und beobachten ihn. Auf dem Podium ist eine Trophäe ausgestellt.

© Andreas Rentz

In his speech, Festival Director Christian Jungen provides insight into the selection process for the Golden Icon Award: «Colin Farrell gets our highest award. It’s also the most difficult to find a recipient, because obviously it needs to be an icon, it needs to be someone who has an outstanding body of work and no doubt Farrell is such an actor. »

«It is such a joy to work in film and television and to be part of a collective of two, three, or even four hundred people, all moving in the same direction. Especially in a world that can so often feel fractured and divided, this kind of unity is a truly powerful thing. And next to being a father, a son, a sibling, and a friend, it has been one of the greatest honors of my life to simply be a working actor, bringing stories to life», said Colin Farrell.

World and European Premieres on Sechseläutenplatz

Following yesterday's world premiere of THE LIFE OF WISHES, another highlight was added to the program today: MOMO, the new film by director Christian Ditter, had its world premiere at the Zurich Film Festival. Festival Director Christian Jungen welcomed Ditter and the film's lead actors, Alexa Gooddall and Araloyin Oshunremi, as well as other members of the cast, on the green carpet.

Vier Personen posieren gemeinsam auf dem roten Teppich des Zurich Film Festival vor einer Kulisse mit Logos wie UBS, NZZ und Mercedes-Benz. Sie sind formell und stilvoll gekleidet.

Today's program also included a European premiere: Twinless, directed and acted by James Sweeney, which is competing in the feature film competition. Sweeney's costar, actor Dylan O'Brien, was also present on the green carpet. The two were greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of fans before presenting their film to the audience at the Corso for the first time.

Zwei Männer stehen nebeneinander und posieren für ein Foto vor einer Kulisse des Zurich Film Festival, auf der Logos von Sponsoren wie Mercedes-Benz, UBS und NZZ zu sehen sind. Der eine trägt ein grünes Hemd, der andere eine blaue Jacke.

LOVE LETTERS with Ella Rumpf

Ella Rumpf has long been at home on Europe's big screens, whether in Paris, Berlin, or Cannes. This made her return to Zurich, where it all began, all the more special. The Zurich actress, who has attracted attention in recent years with challenging roles, has now returned with her new film, Love Letters. "I am very happy to present a film here that I made in France. It's nice that my work there is also recognized here," says the 30-year-old, who grew up bilingual in Zurich. She and director Alice Douard presented the film as part of the 21st edition of the festival.

You can find more impressions of the day here.

Zwei Frauen posieren gemeinsam lächelnd vor einer Kulisse des Zurich Film Festival mit Logos von Mercedes-Benz, UBS und NZZ. Die eine trägt ein ärmelloses schwarz-weißes Kleid, die andere einen schwarzen Mantel über einer weißen Bluse.