Swiss highlights and Marvel fans on the fourth day of the festival

On the fourth day of the 21st Zurich Film Festival, great cinema from Switzerland and Saudi Arabia was celebrated. Two Swiss Films – I LOVE YOU, I LEAVE YOU and WOLVES – as well as the Saudi Arabian action epic DESERT WARRIOR, starring Marvel star Anthony Mackie, premiered in Zurich. The Swiss production Stiller also generated enthusiasm, while the children's program catered to young film fans.

The mood was exuberant on the morning of the fourth day of the ZFF. Visitors gathered around the festival center to eat, drink, and enjoy the atmosphere. The ZFF mascot, Goldie, contributed to the good mood by posing for photos with the youngest cinema fans while trailing colorful balloons. In the afternoon, the cast and crew of the children's films DER PRANK and ZIRKUSKIND opened the Green Carpet.

Drei Personen stehen lächelnd vor einer Kulisse des Zurich Film Festival, auf der Sponsorenlogos und "#ZFF2025" zu sehen sind. Sie sind halb-formal gekleidet, unter anderem mit Blazern und Pullovern.

© Joshua Sammer

Two World Premieres from Zurich

The Swiss documentary film I LOVE YOU, I LEAVE YOU, by Moris Freiburghaus, kicked off the premieres. The film's protagonist, musician Dino Brandão, who is also a close friend of the director, was in attendance.

©Julie Alejandro Yzquierdo

On the green carpet, Dino spoke about their special friendship: «We became really close again through this project. We've known each other for a long time, but Moris lived in Berlin until recently, so we naturally kept our distance. But through the project, we've really grown closer again.»

Later in the evening, another Swiss film, WOLVES by Jonas Ulrich, celebrated its world premiere. Set in Zurich, the film tells the story of Luana (Selma Kopp), who finds a sense of belonging in the black metal scene. She falls in love with Viktor (Bartosz Bielenia) and soon realizes that she is being drawn into his radical views.

Eine grosse Gruppe von Menschen posiert gemeinsam lächelnd auf einem grünen Teppich vor einer Kulisse des Zurich Film Festival mit Logos und #ZFF2025. Einige stehen, andere knien in der ersten Reihe.

© Tim Tessdorff

Anthony Mackie presents DESERT WARRIORS

DESERT WARRIOR also celebrated its world premiere in Zurich yesterday evening. Fans gave the cast and crew an enthusiastic welcome on the red carpet. Marvel star Anthony Mackie, whom many had been waiting for since the afternoon, delighted the fans.

Ein Mann in einem schwarzen Anzug gestikuliert angeregt auf dem roten Teppich des Zurich Film Festival, mit Festival- und Sponsorenlogos und verschwommenen Lichtern im Hintergrund.

«We worked so hard on this film and had so many great experiences and unforgettable days. Telling this story, portraying this character, and finally sharing it with the world is truly life-affirming,» Mackie said.

STILLER – this year's highlight of Swiss cinema

Drei Personen stehen auf der Bühne und halten Mikrofone in der Hand. Die Frau in der Mitte, die einen rosa Blazer trägt, lächelt und schaut den Mann links an. Alle drei scheinen sich zu unterhalten und sind formell gekleidet.

The 21st ZFF celebrated another Swiss highlight with the gala premiere of Stefan Haupt's film STILLER. Together with producer Anne Walser, the cast and crew presented the film to the Zurich audience at the Corso – a home game, so to speak, as the film is also largely set in Zurich. Anne Walser will receive the Career Achievement Award on October 3 for her influential role in the Swiss film industry.

You can find more impressions of the day here.