The 21st Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) is set to captivate audiences and industry professionals alike from September 25 to October 5, 2025. This year's festival promises a rich program of international cinema, showcasing both established filmmakers and emerging talents. The lineup includes a diverse array of dramas, documentaries, and genre-bending narratives.
Among the most anticipated films are Luca Guadagnino's "After the Hunt," a psychological drama starring Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, and Andrew Garfield. Edward Berger's mystery thriller "Ballad of a Small Player" features Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton. Yorgos Lanthimos returns with the science-fiction black comedy "Bugonia," starring Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, and Alicia Silverstone, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival on August 28, 2025. Dwayne Johnson stars in Benny Safdie's biographical sports drama "The Smashing Machine," which also premiered at Venice and has garnered early Oscar buzz. Nia DaCosta's modern adaptation of "Hedda Gabler," titled "Hedda," stars Tessa Thompson and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Additionally, Anders Thomas Jensen's dark comedy adventure "The Last Viking," featuring Mads Mikkelsen and Nikolaj Lie Kaas, will be presented.
The festival will also host the crucial Zurich Summit industry program on September 26-27, 2025, at the Dolder Grand Hotel. This event will bring together key industry leaders to discuss the evolving landscape of filmmaking, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI), streaming platform dynamics, and innovative film financing. Prominent figures such as Tricia Tuttle and Cameron Bailey are expected to participate. The summit will also introduce a new Film Fund Forum to connect producers with private investors, leveraging Zurich's financial hub status. Discussions will also cover the influence of platforms like YouTube and the growing film sector in Saudi Arabia, with Abduljalil Al-Nasser in attendance. Neon founder and CEO Tom Quinn will be honored with the Game Changer Award during the Summit.
The ZFF's commitment to showcasing a wide range of cinematic achievements is reflected in its program of 114 films across 359 showings, including 21 world premieres, 4 international premieres, and 16 European premieres. The festival continues to be a vital platform for discovering new talent and fostering critical conversations that shape the future of cinema.