The Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) is an annual film festival that has taken place in Zurich at the end of September since 2005. The ZFF has developed rapidly in the few years since its foundation and now attracts more than 50'000 visitors, making it a firm fixture in the international festival calendar. The festival focuses on the presentation and promotion of new director talent from around the world. Only first, second or third directing works are eligible to enter the four competition categories. Particular emphasis is placed on the discovery of new talent from the German-speaking world, with two separate competition categories created solely for this purpose. Films in the competition line-up, as well as those from established filmmakers, are generally presented in person by the film’s creators. In addition to its multifaceted film programme, the festival is also renowned for its top-class side-events programme, which includes the Zurich Master Class and the international Film Finance Forum – events that make ZFF one of the most important international film industry hubs. The main festival award is the Golden Eye, which is awarded in the four competition categories and to the festival’s guests of honor.
