German singer and actor Herbert Grönemeyer heads the Jury of the German-Language Feature Film Competition at the 8th Zurich Film Festival. The ZFF is honoured with the presence of Herbert Grönemeyer, not only one of Europe’s best known and most successful musicians, but also a respected film music composer and actor.
Adding more excitement to the opening night of the 8th Zurich Film Festival, two time Academy Award® nominee John Travolta will be honoured with the ‘Golden Eye for Lifetime Achievement’ award for his achievements in cinema before the gala screening of Oliver Stone’s “Savages” on Thursday, September 20th.
The Zurich Film Festival will open th 8th edition with Oliver Stone’s SAVAGES on the evening of Thursday, September 20th. A Universal Pictures release, SAVAGES is a ferocious thriller featuring an all-star ensemble cast that includes Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, John Travolta, Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Emile Hirsch and Demián Bichir.
SAVAGES follows entrepreneurs Ben, a peaceful and charitable Buddhist, and friend Chon, a former Navy SEAL, running a lucrative, homegrown industry – raising some of the best weed ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with Ophelia. Life is idyllic in their Southern California town until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demand that the trio partners with them. When the merciless head of the cartel, Elena and her enforcer, Lado underestimate the unbreakable bond of the three friends, Ben and Chon – with the reluctant assistance of a dirty DEA agent – wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel. And so begins a series of increasingly vicious ploys and maneuvers in a high stakes, savage battle of wills.
Oliver Stone is no stranger to the Zurich Film Festival. This will be his third trip to the festival, where he has been the recipient of the Golden Icon Award and screened several of his films.
The aim of the Zurich Film Festival is to offer audiences an 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 all over the world and include both rising 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 release in the German speaking market in the fall
ZFF creates a unique networking platform bringing together industry players, creative talent and a big audience.
The international competition wittnesses uprising filmmakers competing for the coveted Golden Eye – the festival’s main award. In addition to the competition, we also present the latest films by renowned filmmakers as exclusive “Gala Premieres”. Furthermore, the “New World View” series focuses upon the current cinematic oeuvre of a certain film region. “Border Lines” is a section dedicated to films dealing with border situations such as territorial, social and individual conflicts. Numerous side events, such as the “Zurich Master Class”, the “Film Finance Forum” or the GST film market “ZFF Boutique” 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 2011, more than 50’000 visitors and 507 accredited journalists attended the screenings.
Competition
The International Competition forms the core of the festival. The competition will present films by young, aspiring filmmakers who will compete for the Golden Eye with their first, second or third directing works. All competition films are world, European or Swiss premieres.
Films will be screened in the following four categories :
International Feature Film Competition
German-Language Feature Film Competition
International Documentary Film Competition
German-Language Documentary Film Competition
A Golden Eye endowed with a 20 000 CHF cash prize will be awarded in each category by a separate international jury. The public will choose its favourite film from all of the competition entries and the winner will receive the Audience Award, the Swiss Association of Film Journalists will present their Critics’ Choice Award.
