- Event: 21st Zurich International Film Festival (ZFF)
- Location: Zurich Opera House, Switzerland
- Dates: September 25 – October 5, 2025
- Top Prize: Golden Eye Award for Best Feature Film — Father by Tereza Nvotová (Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia)
- Best Documentary: I Love You, I Leave You by Moris Freiburghaus (Switzerland)
- Audience Award: I Love You, I Leave You
- Kids’ Jury & Audience Awards: Der Prank by Benjamin Heisenberg
- Notable Mentions: Love Letters, Life After Siham, The Ground Beneath Our Feet
- Special Career Awards:
- Colin Farrell – Golden Icon Award
- Russell Crowe – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Hildur Guðnadóttir & Anne Walser – Career Achievement Awards
- Noah Baumbach – Tribute Award
- Tom Quinn – Game Changer Award
- Dakota Johnson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Claire Foy, Wagner Moura – Golden Eye Career Honorees
- Festival Stats: 114 films screened across various categories, celebrating the fusion of film and music
Zurich shimmered with cinematic brilliance as the 21st Zurich International Film Festival (ZFF) concluded at the city’s grand Opera House, celebrating emerging filmmakers and honouring screen legends. The night’s biggest triumph belonged to Father, a stirring drama by Tereza Nvotová, which captured the prestigious Golden Eye Award for Best Feature Film, representing a joint production effort between the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia.
In the documentary category, Swiss filmmaker Moris Freiburghaus took home dual honours — winning both the Golden Eye for Best Documentary and the Audience Award for his moving work, I Love You, I Leave You. Other winners included Love Letters by Alice Douard and Life After Siham by Namir Abdel Messeeh, each earning special mentions for storytelling that resonated deeply with jurors.
The children’s jury added youthful energy to the celebration, crowning Benjamin Heisenberg’s Der Prank as the winner of both the Kids’ Jury and Kids’ Audience Awards. Meanwhile, Memory of Princess Mumbi by Damien Hauser, a Swiss-Kenyan-Saudi co-production, earned the ZFF Critics’ Jury Award.
Beyond the competition, the night sparkled with star power. Colin Farrell received the Golden Icon Award, celebrating his career and standout performance in Ballad of a Small Player, which he presented alongside Oscar-winning Swiss director Edward Berger. Russell Crowe accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to film, paired with his latest role in Nuremberg.
Noah Baumbach was honoured with the A Tribute To… Award, while Icelandic composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, known for her haunting work in Joker and Chernobyl, received the Career Achievement Award. Swiss producer Anne Walser was also celebrated for her cinematic craftsmanship.
In the industry-focused segment, Tom Quinn, founder of NEON, was named the festival’s Game Changer, applauded for transforming the landscape of independent film distribution. Meanwhile, actors Dakota Johnson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Claire Foy, and Wagner Moura all received Golden Eye Awards for their individual excellence and enduring impact on cinema.
A highlight of the festival’s final evening was the appearance of James McAvoy, who premiered his directorial debut California Schemin’ as part of the festival’s “Sounds” section, which explored the powerful bond between film and music.
Under the artistic direction of Christian Jungen, the 2025 edition of ZFF screened 114 films from around the world, spanning categories like Feature Film Competition, Documentary, Gala Premieres, ZFF Masters, and Cinema in Concert. The festival once again cemented its reputation as Europe’s vibrant bridge between Hollywood prestige and global cinematic discovery.
The Zurich Film Festival’s 21st edition reaffirmed its position as one of Europe’s most vital platforms for both emerging and established storytellers. What stood out this year wasn’t just the star power of Russell Crowe, Colin Farrell, or Benedict Cumberbatch — but the deliberate fusion of art, activism, and accessibility that the festival promotes.
The win for Father by Tereza Nvotová is emblematic of the shift toward intimate, socially charged narratives that transcend borders. It’s not just a victory for Czech cinema, but a statement about the universality of human emotion and resilience.
Similarly, I Love You, I Leave You capturing both the jury and audience awards signals a convergence of critical and public appreciation — a rare balance that few festivals achieve.
Beyond accolades, Zurich’s decision to honour both veterans and new voices underscores the festival’s belief that cinema is a continuum — where experience and innovation coexist. In a world increasingly fragmented by algorithms and market forces, this festival continues to remind us of storytelling’s timeless power: to connect, challenge, and inspire.
