World Premieres and possible Oscar Contenders at the 22nd Zurich Film Festival

In the Gala Premieres section, the Zurich Film Festival presents the year's most anticipated films from September 24 to October 4 – including numerous titles ZFF believes to have a strong chance during awards season.

«With these twelve additional Gala Premieres, we are bringing outstanding voices and stories from different parts of the world to Zurich. The program ranges from the promising CLUB KID by Jordan Firstman to new works by acclaimed filmmakers such as Ali Asgari, whose latest film will premiere in competition in Venice. The films also feature major names in front of the camera, including Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem, and John Turturro. With ADULT SUPERVISION, we are also presenting a film that is already being tipped as a potential Swedish Oscar contender. We are very much looking forward to celebrating these films with our audience at ZFF,» says Reta Guetg, Festival Director of the Zurich Film Festival.

The full program of the 22nd ZFF will be published on the website starting at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, September 9. Ticket sales begin on Monday, September 14, 2026.

BUNKER

Thriller
France / Spain, 2026
Director: Florian Zeller
Cast: Penélope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Stephen Graham, Paul Dano, Patrick Schwarzenegger

A wealthy tech billionaire commissions an architect (Javier Bardem) to design a luxurious, high-security bunker that will serve as a private refuge in the event of a global catastrophe. As work on the project progresses, his wife (Penélope Cruz) begins to doubt whether she shares her husband’s values. Caught between ethical dilemmas, fears about the future, and dwindling trust, the couple is forced to reexamine their relationship and beliefs. With BUNKER, Oscar-winning director Florian Zeller brings a gripping thriller to the ZFF, led by a magnetic performance by Javier Bardem.

BABIES

European Premiere
Comedy
USA, 2026
Director: Lauren Miller Rogen
Cast: Anna Kendrick, Seth Rogen, Issa Rae, Dan Stevens, Kate Berlant, Zach Cherry, Ed Helms, Ashley Park, Sharon Stone, David Strathairn

After 17 years together, Annie (Anna Kendrick) and Aaron (Seth Rogen) are often asked about having children. When their mutual friend Eliza breaks up with her husband Luke, she temporarily moves in with Annie and Aaron, along with her young daughter. This provides the perfect opportunity for Annie and Aaron to get a crash course in parenting. Starring Seth Rogen and Anna Kendrick, Lauren Miller Rogen’s down-to-earth comedy explores the dilemma many couples face: to have children or not.

CLUB KID

Comedy, Drama, LGBTQIA+
USA, 2026
Director: Jordan Firstman
Cast: Jordan Firstman, Cara Delevigne, Diego Calva

For New York party promoter Peter Green (Jordan Firstman), the party never stops. One drunken binge seamlessly flows into the next while he constantly shifts responsibility onto others, especially his exasperated business partner, Sophie (Cara Delevingne). But then reality catches up with him. He learns that he is the father of 10-year-old Arlo, the result of a one-night stand he can barely remember. Confronted with this revelation, he must rethink his lifestyle and accept his new role as a father.

INK

Drama
United Kingdom, France, USA, 2026
Director: Danny Boyle
Cast: Jack O’Connell, Guy Pearce, Claire Foy

When Rupert Murdoch (Guy Pearce) acquired the daily newspaper «The Sun» in the late 1960s and convinced Larry Lamb (Jack O’Connell) to take over as editor-in-chief, they set the paper on a completely new course. Lamb and his colleague (Claire Foy) take extreme measures and publish anything that causes a stir – the more sensational and provocative, the better. But as readership rises, so does the number of critics. Bold and daring, INK chronicles the rise of a newspaper that challenged the status quo and left a lasting mark on tabloid journalism.

A BIT OF LIGHT

Drama
Iran / Switzerland / Italy / Canada / Turkey, 2026
Director: Ali Asgari
Cast: Misagh Zareh, Sadaf Asgari, Forouzan Jamshidnejad, Ramtin Daghigh, Mina Rahimzadeh

After an Iranian doctor is arrested and his practice is shut down, he loses faith in the future. Determined to end his life, he spends one last day visiting his siblings and his mother to prepare them for his departure. But the time he spends with them and their care gradually reconcile him with life once again. A BIT OF LIGHT confronts the current reality in Iran and sheds light on social and political contexts. A deeply moving film about humanity and the power of community.

THE ONLY LIVING PICKPOCKET IN NEW YORK

Crime, Thriller
USA, 2026
Director: Noah Segan
Cast: John Turturro, Steve Buscemi, Giancarlo Esposito, Will Price, Tatiana Maslany

In his heyday, his skill and street smarts made him a master of his craft. But at nearly 70, pickpocket Harry Lehman (John Turturro) is struggling in digital-age New York: Cash and expensive watches have become rare, credit cards can be blocked instantly, and cell phones can be tracked quickly. When Harry steals a USB drive from a young man one night, he has no idea who he’s messing with and finds himself in the crosshairs of a ruthless crime family. A wild journey through the Big Apple begins. A nostalgic New York crime thriller, carried by a magnificent John Turturro.

LES MISÉRABLES

Drama, History, Thriller
France, 2026
Director: Fred Cavayé
Cast: Vincent Lindon, Tahar Rahim, Camille Cottin, Benjamin Lavernhe, Noémie Merlant, Vassili Schneider, Megan Northam, Marie Colomb

After 19 years in prison, Jean Valjean (Vincent Lindon) is released. Broken by his time behind bars, he assumes a new identity and begins a life as a respected citizen. When he meets Fantine (Noémie Merlant), a factory worker who is gravely ill, he promises to take care of her daughter, Cosette (Megan Northam). Amid the social unrest shaking France, their fates become intertwined in a turbulent, revolutionary Paris. Carried by magnificent performances from Vincent Lindon and Tahar Rahim, this new adaptation demonstrates the enduring power of Victor Hugo’s timeless classic.

BLOOD MONEY

World Premiere
Urban Boxing Drama
Albania, 2026
Director: Enkelejd Lluca
Cast: Blerim Destani, Noizy (Rigels Rajku), Moritz Bleibtreu, Kida Khodr Ramadan, Kaona Sulejmani, Veysel Gelin, Islam Dulatov, Sunaj Raca, Xheni Fama, Ndriçim Xhepa, Kastriot Çaushi

In the Albanian port city of Durrës, Arion (Noizy), a former inmate, is released from prison to fight in illegal bare-knuckle bouts at the notorious venue «The Circle» on behalf of Ilir (Blerim Destani), who is heavily in debt. Club owner Hans (Moritz Bleibtreu) is initially skeptical of Arion. However, as Arion attracts more and more attention, Hans recognizes his commercial potential as well. What begins as a way out of poverty turns into a risky game when Ilir becomes involved in an illegal betting ring. BLOOD MONEY is a gritty martial arts drama about two men trying to escape their lives.

EUROTRASH

World Premiere
Drama
Germany / Switzerland, 2026
Director: Frauke Finsterwalder
Cast: Barbara Sukowa, Alexander Fehling, Luna Wedler, Stefan Kurt

When the writer Philipp (Alexander Fehling) realizes that he and his wealthy family are terrible people, he sets off on a road trip through Switzerland with his terminally ill and alcoholic mother, Helene (Barbara Sukowa), and her driver (Luna Wedler). Together, they try to give away the fortune they’ve amassed, encountering bizarre characters along the way and being confronted with their own inner demons. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Christian Kracht, EUROTRASH tells the story of a mother–son relationship—one that exemplifies the complexity of human relationships—in an extremely entertaining way.

ADULT SUPERVISION

Drama
Sweden, 2026
Writer and Director: Alex Schulmann
Cast: Gustaf Skarsgård, Fares Fares, Linus Wahlgren

When three fathers accompany their teenage daughters on a school trip to a remote island, their seemingly harmless vacation spirals out of control. Their different parenting styles, shaped by their own experiences, clash. The more they try to control the situation, the more it slips from their hands. As repressed memories resurface, the fathers must also confront their own roles. Who’s really in charge here? A biting comedy about modern parenting, fatherhood, and masculinity, starring Gustaf Skarsgård and Fares Fares.

THINK GOOD (SI TU PENSES BIEN)

International Premiere
Drama
France / Belgium, 2026
Director: Géraldine Nakache
Cast: Monia Chokri, Niels Schneider, Clémentine Célarié, Christian Benedetti, Thaïs Garfinkel, Oussama Kheddam, Mina Kavani

When Gil (Monia Chokri) meets Jacques (Niels Schneider) in Dubai, it's love at first sight. Back in Paris, they get married and start a family. They are both Jewish, but while Gil practices her religion freely, Jacques places great importance on strict adherence to religious rules. He soon begins trying to force Gil to conform to his expectations, isolating her from her social circle in the process. What begins as a passionate love affair evolves into a subtle game of control and emotional dependence. This contemporary relationship drama features outstanding performances by Monia Chokri and Niels Schneider.

BACK TO BUENOS AIRES (RITORNO A BUENOS AIRES)

International Premiere
Drama
Italien / Brasilien, 2026
Regie: Mario Bechis
Cast: Adriano Giannini, Ana Celentano, Veronica Gerez, Olivia Nuss, Adrian Fondari, Marcelo Chaparro, Paula Cohen, Vijaya Bechis Boll, Marcela Serli, Maria Layla Fernandez, Eduardo Hoy

After more than 30 years, Italian doctor Mariano Guerra has returned to Buenos Aires. There, he must testify against former military members who kidnapped and tortured him during the dictatorship. Confronted with the scene of his former captivity, he must come to terms with the consequences of his experiences.However, as the trial progresses, his own role during his captivity increasingly takes center stage. A gripping political thriller featuring the magnificent Adriano Giannini in the lead role.

You can find the official media release here.