Zurich Film Festival

20th Edition

Zurich Film Festival

when:October 3rd - 13th, 2024
address:Kreuzstrasse 2
CH-8008 Zürich
tel:+41 44 286 60 00
email:info@zff.com
website:zff.com
deadline:June 30th, 2024
entry form:Submission at Filmfreeway.com

The aim of the Zurich Film Festival is to offer audiences insight into the work of the most promising filmmakers from around the globe, and to promote the exchange of ideas between established film workers, creative talent and the public. Emerging directors have the opportunity to present their films to the wide attention of the entire German-language market. Participants come from around the globe and include both emerging and renowned filmmakers as well as buyers, sellers, distributors, media professionals and industry leaders.

ZFF presents the most promising international new filmmakers
ZFF provides the N°1 platform for a film's release in the German speaking market in the fall
ZFF creates a unique networking platform uniting industry players, creative talent and a large audience
The International Competition sees emerging filmmakers compete for the coveted Golden Eye – the festival’s main award. In addition to the competition, the fest also presents the latest films from renowned filmmakers as exclusive "Gala Premieres" or "Special Screenings". Furthermore, the "New World View" series focuses on the current cinematic oeuvre of a particular film producing region; "Border Lines" is a section dedicated to films dealing with border situations including territorial, social and individual conflicts; "TVision" focuses on the latest, most innovative TV formats; and finally, numerous side events, such as the "Zurich Master Class", the "Zurich Summit" and the "Film Music Competition", complete the festival programme.

The Zurich Film Festival began in October 2005 and became firmly established upon the national and international festival landscape within a very short period of time. The festival continues to grow rapidly. In 2016, approximately 90'000 visitors and more than 500 accredited journalists attended the festival's screenings.

Competition Categories
The competition comprises of the following three categories:
• International Feature Film Competition
• International Documentary Film Competition
• Focus Switzerland, Germany, Austria (Feature Films and Documentary Films)

The Golden Eye endowed with a CHF 25'000 cash prize will be awarded in each of the two categories International Feature Film Competition and International Documentary Film Competition by two separate juries. The Golden Eye endowed with a CHF 20,000 cash prize will be awarded in the competition category Focus by a separate jury. The cash endowment is to be shared equally between director and producer of winning films in all three categories. Winning films with Swiss distribution further profit from P&A contribution for a theatrical release in Switzerland.
Competition Entry Requirements
Submissions to the competition must fulfill the following criteria:
• Director’s 1st, 2nd or 3rd feature-length film (> 60 min)
• Projects completed after October 1, 2017
• Minimum status requirement: Swiss Premiere at ZFF

Out of Competition
Documentary films, fiction films and series can be submitted to the following sections:
• Gala Premieres
• Special Screenings
• New World View
• Border Lines
• Window to the World
• TVision (Series)
• ZFF for Kids
Out of Competition Requirements
Submissions to the Out of Competition sections must fulfill the following criteria:
• Films must be at least 60 minutes long (except TV Pilots)
• Projects completed after October 1, 2017
• Minimum status requirement: Swiss Premiere at ZFF

2023
  • La chimera by Alice Rohrwacher: Gala Premieres

  • Enea by Pietro Castellitto: Feature Film Competition

  • EO by Jerzy Skolimowski: Outsiders

  • Kidnapped by Marco Bellocchio: Gala Premieres

  • Lonely by Michele Pennetta: Focus Competition

  • Lubo by Giorgio Diritti: Gala Premieres

  • The Palace by Roman Polanski: Gala Premieres

  • Priscilla by Sofia Coppola: Gala Premieres

2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
  • Mediterranea by Jonas Carpignano: International Feature Film / Competition

2014
2013
  • Miele by Valeria Golino: International Feature Film / Competition

2011
2009
2008
2005