Colin Farrell is set to receive the prestigious Golden Icon Award at the 20th Zurich Film Festival (ZFF), which runs from September 25 to October 5, 2025. The festival will also host the gala premiere of his new film, "Ballad of a Small Player." The award recognizes Farrell's significant contributions to cinema and his compelling performance in the upcoming psychological thriller.
"Ballad of a Small Player," directed by Edward Berger, stars Farrell as Lord Doyle, a man ensnared by Macau's casinos and gambling addiction. The film, based on Lawrence Osborne's novel, also features Fala Chen as Dao Ming and Tilda Swinton as private investigator Cynthia Blithe. This marks Berger's return after the success of "Conclave," with a screenplay by Rowan Joffé. Cinematographer James Friend and composer Volker Bertelmann, who previously collaborated with Berger on "All Quiet on the Western Front," are also part of the film's creative team.
The film is scheduled for a limited theatrical release in the United States on October 15, 2025, followed by releases in the UK and Ireland on October 17. Netflix will premiere "Ballad of a Small Player" globally on October 29, 2025. Prior to its wider release, the film will be screened at prominent autumn festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 9, 2025, and the Zurich Film Festival.
At the Zurich Film Festival, Farrell will accept the Golden Icon Award on September 27. Festival director Christian Jungen praised Farrell as "one of the most passionate and charismatic character actors in auteur cinema," highlighting his captivating performance in "Ballad of a Small Player." Farrell previously starred in films such as "Miami Vice," "In Bruges," and "The Killing of a Sacred Deer," and received a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for his role in "The Banshees of Inisherin."