The Zurich Film Festival begins its 20th edition with a smaller lineup, new photos and the gala premiere of “The Order”

The Zurich Film Festival begins its 20th edition on Thursday with a range of new European discoveries, some of the year’s most acclaimed films, a new center and a wide-ranging industry forum.

In addition to an impressive list of international stars including Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, Jude Law, Richard Gere and Pamela Anderson, the event offers a deep dive into some of the most pressing issues facing the industry at the annual summit conference in Zurich.

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The festival will open with Justin Kurzel’s neo-Nazi thriller “The Order” with Law in the main role, which will receive the festival’s Golden Eye award for lifetime achievement.

This year, the organizers simplified the festival by eliminating the German-language Focus Competition and limiting the offer to 107 films, 41 fewer than last year. There are currently only two main competitions in Zurich, for feature films and documentaries, as well as such side events as Gala Premieres, Signatures, Boundary Lines, Hashtag #BigCityLife, Sounds and ZFF for Children.

On the industry side, the Zurich Summit Conference brings together leading international film producers, sales executives, creators, technology entrepreneurs and financiers.

This year’s summit features CAA co-chairman and Zurich regular Roeg Sutherland, who receives the Game Changer Award.

The conference will also discuss current topics such as the impact of artificial intelligence; financing of independent films; the role of investors; advantages of shooting in Europe; the changing management industry and the challenges facing the theater sector.

Participants at this year’s summit, which will take place on October 5, include Rebecca Kearey of Searchlight Pictures; Neon’s Tom Quinn; Stuart Ford of AGC Studios; Alex Brunner and Theresa Peters of UTA; Fremantle Christian Vespers; Elisabeth d’Arvieu of Mediawan; Stefanie Fahrion from Film4; Anton’s Sébastien Raybaud; 30Maren Olson of West; and David Unger of Artist International Group.

Zurich also boasts a selection of the best hits of this year’s festival along with world premieres, including Ali Abbasi’s photo with Donald Trump, “The Apprentice”; “The Room Next Door” by Pedro Almodóvar; Richard Gray’s western “Horrible Trinity”; “Queer” by Luca Guadagnino; “Conclave” by Edward Berger, “Babygirl” by Halina Reijn; “September 5” by Tim Fehlbaum; “The Last Dancer” by Gia Coppola; Steve McQueen’s “Blitz”; and Sean Baker’s Cannes-winning film “Anora.”

Cyrillo Boss and Philipp Stennert’s epic German fantasy “Hagen”, which is a retelling of the Nibelungen saga, is also being developed.

Female directors are well represented, especially in the race for the highest award, the Golden Eye.

“This year, our competition is dominated by the female gaze,” says artistic director Christian Jungen. “Many films tell their stories through the eyes of women, such as ‘Linda’ and ‘Mother Mara.’ Eight of the 14 films were made by women, which is exciting.”

As for the Documentary Competition, it is “more political than ever,” Jungen adds. “Many films, such as “Homegrown,” which shows three proud boys, or “Russians at War,” about Russian frontline soldiers in Ukraine, raise the issue of the fragility of democracy. “Another important theme that emerges in ‘The Battle of Laikipia’ (which focuses on farming communities in Kenya struggling with the effects of climate change) is the question of who actually owns the land and to what extent it can be farmed commercially.”

Swiss films once again play a key role in the festival program. “ZFF takes place in Zurich, where two thirds of Swiss distributors and production companies are based,” notes Jungen. “That’s why it’s important that we give Swiss films a big stage and include them in the discussion.”

This year, Zurich will host 12 world premieres of Swiss films, including Lisa Brühlmann’s patchwork family drama “When We Were Sisters” and Jasmin Gordon’s “The Brave Ones,” about the struggles of an eccentric and criminal mother in a small Swiss town.

Other Swiss films include Maria Brendle’s historical drama “Frieda’s Affair”; Flavio Gerber and Alun Meyerhans’ ski documentary “Aiming high – a race against limits”; and Michael Krummenacher’s World War II spy drama “The Traitor.”

The event will also feature a new festival center celebrating its 20th anniversary.

“On the occasion of our 20th anniversary, we present a center that is more innovative, more open and more sustainable, both architecturally and spiritually,” says Jungen. “The new center is aimed primarily at our audience, so that our guests can get to know the stars as closely as possible. An even more open green carpet and a new outdoor terrace bring talent and audiences together even more directly.”

Other guest stars and filmmakers at this year’s festival include Winslet, who will receive the Golden Icon Award for her latest work: “Lee” by Ellen Kuras; Anderson with the Golden Eye for his versatile career and role in Gia Coppola’s “The Last Dancer”; and Berger with the A Tribute to… award at the premiere of “Conclave”.

Alicia Vikander, who will be present at the European premiere of “The Assessment” by Fleur Fortuné, will be similarly honored with the Golden Eye awards. Composer Howard Shore will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, and Swiss cabaret artist Emil Steinberger will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

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