In this ZFF Masters session, Scottish actor James McAvoy reflects on his journey as an actor, his Scottish roots, and what art means to him. He discusses how defining roles in films such as THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, X-MEN, and ATONEMENT shaped his career and artistic identity, and shares insights into his directorial debut CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’.
Renowned for his remarkable range, James McAvoy is one of the most distinctive performers of his generation. The Scottish-born actor appeared early on in television and film projects including THE NEAR ROOM, REGENERATION, and BAND OF BROTHERS. He achieved international recognition with SHAMELESS (2004–2005), followed by global success as Mr. Tumnus in THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE. His performance in THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND earned him a BAFTA Scotland Award, while ATONEMENT brought BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations. From the psychological intensity of SPLIT to blockbuster roles in the X-MEN franchise, McAvoy continues to demonstrate extraordinary versatility. With CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’, he now steps behind the camera for his directorial debut.
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ZFF Masters are in-depth conversations with renowned voices from world cinema, open to the public and held during the Zurich Film Festival. They offer audiences a rare opportunity to gain insight into the creative process and artistic vision of leading figures in film. The episodes are available on Youtube or as Podcast.
