Peter Fonda is Jury President at the 4th Zurich Film Festival
Festival Programme announcement: 2 World Premieres in the International Competition

The festival administration announced the programme and the members of this year’s jury at their press conference on September 11, 2008. The 4th Zurich Film Festival will present selected films by young filmmakers from around the world in the cinemas corso and Le Paris. In order to encourage the creation of new films, The Zurich Film Festival will present only first, second or third works by directors in their competition and film series. The festival will screen a total of 70 Swiss, European and World Premieres between September 25 and October 5, 2008. The 4th Zurich Film Festival will include two World Premieres in its International Competition: The American debut feature Boy of Pigs by William Olsson and the Swiss drama Tausend Ozeane by Luki Frieden. This year’s Feature Film Jury consists of seven members headed by Jury President Peter Fonda. An additional selection of three experts will evaluate the documentary films.


Presentation of the 2008 Jury

The Feature Film Jury is made up of the following members:

Peter Fonda_Actor and Director/Jury President Peter Fonda was born in New York the son of Henry Fonda in 1940. Together with Dennis Hopper, Fonda wrote and produced Easy Rider in 1968, a film that shaped a whole generation and still enjoys cult status today. Fonda and Hopper received an Oscar® Nomination for Best Screenplay. Fonda was nominated for an Oscar® for Best Actor for his role in Ulee’s Gold in 1997. Peter Fonda has played numerous controversial roles and directed an increasing number of projects.

Claudia Puig_Film Critic Claudia Puig studied Communication Sciences in California. She won the Pulitzer Prize for her coverage of the 1991 Los Angeles riots together with her team at the Los Angeles Times. She turned to covering film in 1993 and became director of USA Today’s Film Critic Department two years ago. She is three-times Entertainment Journalist of the Year nominee, an award granted by the Publicists Guild.

Stephen Nemeth_Producer Stephen Nemeth is the founder and manager of Rhino Films. He has produced 10 films and was executive producer of a further 14 including Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, What We Do Is Secret, Radio Free Albemuth, the 2008 Oscar® nominated War Dance and the documentary film Fields of Fuel, which won the Sundance Audience Award. As a member of „Artists for Amnesty“, he develops and produces cinema and television films with human rights themes.

Andrea Staka_Director and Producer Following graduation from the Zurich University of the Arts, Andrea Staka spent several years in New York. The short film Hotel Belgrad and the documentary film Yugodivas brought her international recognition. Das Fräulein, her first cinema feature film, won the Golden Leopard at the 2006 Locarno Film Festival and the Swiss Film Prize for Best Screenplay in 2007. In the same year, Staka founded Okofilm Productions together with the director and producer Thomas Imbach.







Michael Dougherty_Artist, Illustrator, Author and Director Michael Dougherty graduated from New York University after studying film and made a name for himself as an artist, author and director working in various genres. Dougherty wrote the blockbuster Superman Returns (2006) and X2: X-Men United (2003). Furthermore, Dougherty enjoys great appraisal for his work as an accomplished animator and illustrator. He is currently working on Calling All Robots, an animated film by Robert Zemeckis.

Hervé Schneid_Editor Hervé Schneid was born 1956 in France and made a name for himself in film editing early on. He has worked for numerous directors including Sally Potter, Mike Figgis, Johnny Depp and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The most famous films for which Schneid has edited include Delicatessen, Orlando, Goodbye Bafana and Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain. The latter brought him a BAFTA Award, a César Nomination and received the International Press Academy’s Golden Satellite Award for Best Editing.

Dror Shaul_Screenplay Author and Director Dror Shaul was born in Kibbuz Kissufim in Southern Israel. He won the Israeli Academy Award and was nominated for the Banff Rockie Award in Canada for his first short film Operation Grandma. With Sweet Mud, shown at the 4th Zurich Film Festival in the series New World View, Shaul participated in the Sundance Directors and Screenwriters Lab. The film won numerous international awards including the Sundance IFF Grand Jury Award.


The Documentary Film Jury is made up of the following members:


Christian Frei_Filmmaker and Producer Christian Frei has worked as a freelance filmmaker and producer since 1984. He presented his first documentary film, Ricardo, Miriam y Fidel, in 1997. This was followed in 2001 by War Photographer, which was nominated for an Oscar® in the category Best Documentary Feature and received numerous international awards. He realised The Giant Buddhas in 2005. Space Tourists will hit cinema screens in 2009. Frei is president of the Federal Office for Culture’s Documentary Film Committee. He lives and works in Zurich.

Walter Hügli_Cultural Entrepreneur, Artist, Designer, Editor and Member of the „George Foundation“ Board of Directors Following studies in economics and leading positions with international companies, the cult choreographer left his mark primarily in Zurich. Hügli was the initiator and investor of the legendary Zurich club „Rohstofflager“ and is the owner of the „Toni-Molkerei“. He is the publisher of two photo books: „Raw Music Material“ and „xoxo, Momentaufnahme einer Generation“. Hügli lives and works in Zurich.

Lorna Tee_Producer Lorna Tee is executive director of the „Irresistible Film Fund“ in Hongkong. She made a name for herself as an art activist in Malaysia before taking over the Marketing and Distribution department of Focus Films and developing „Variety Asia“. She has produced The Beautiful Washing Machine, The Shoe Fairy, I’ll Call You, Rain Dogs, Before We Fall In Love Again and My Mother Is A Bellydancer. Tee additionally works as an advisor for Cinemart, the oldest, international co-production market.


Presentation of the Film Series

International Competition_The International Competition forms the very heart of the festival. Competition Films are solely films that have been produced within 24 months prior to commencement of the festival. The International Jury, under the direction of the Jury President, selects the prize-winner at the end of the festival. The “Golden Eye” will be awarded in three categories: Best Debut Feature Film (1st directorial work), Best New Feature Film (2nd or 3rd directorial work) and Best New Documentary Film (1st, 2nd or 3rd directorial work). An additional Audience Prize “Golden Eye” will be awarded to the public’s favourite film. Participation in the competition is subject to the film being previously unscreened by German-speaking television or shown in Swiss cinemas. The Zurich Film Festival awards prize-money totalling 50 000 CHF and non-cash promotional prizes totalling 150 000 CHF.

Out of Competition_Huge, star-studded international Film Premieres will be celebrated every evening at the cinemas corso 1 and Arthouse Le Paris. The multi-faceted programme offers unique cinema highlights ranging from big Hollywood Blockbusters to French comedy and a surprise film.

New World View_Every year, the Zurich Film Festival presents the superlative filmic output of a guest country. This year, the series New World View will focus on the emerging and powerful cinema of Israel. Israeli films have enthused festival jurors and international cinema audiences in recent years. The filmmakers Dror Zahavi (For My Father), Ayelet Menahemi (Noodle),
Dror Shaul (Sweet Mud) and Renen Shorr, director of the Sam Spiegel Film School, will be present in Zurich.

Panorama D_The series Panorama D offers an insight into present-day German-speaking film with a sweeping ambition: to offer a comprehensive overview of the current developments in German-speaking film – from the classically narrated idea to contemporary German-speaking film. The Panorama D opening film Das Herz ist ein dunkler Wald will be screened in the presence of its director Nicolette Krebitz.

Spotlight_The topical series Spotlight features impressively drawn portraits of exceptional musicians from around the globe. This festival series, prompted by the recently kindled enthusiasm for film music, will present three enthralling and idiosyncratic feature and documentary films.

A Tribute to…_The A Tribute To… award honours a director who has made a significant contribution to film history and inspired emerging works. The last two years saw the directors Stephen Frears and Oliver Stone receive a “Golden Eye” for their filmic life’s work. Costa-Gavras will personally accept the 2008 A Tribute To… “Golden Eye” on the festival’s Closing Night. The Zurich Film Festival will screen a retrospective of his oeuvre at the cinema corso on Saturday, October 4, 2008.

Golden Icon_New this year, the 4th Zurich Film Festival 2008 will award the “Golden Icon Award” for the life work of an actor or actress who enjoys Iconic status. The first “Golden Icon Award” will be conferred on Sylvester Stallone who will accept the award personally on September 26, 2008 within the framework of a Stallone Night. To mark the occasion, the 4th Zurich Film Festival will screen a selection of films with and by Stallone in the cinema corso.

onedotzero_With the series onedotzero, the Zurich Film Festival has brought the most innovative and important festival in the field of digital film to Zurich since 2005. Even in its days as a small independent film festival, the London based creators of onedotzero presented first works by Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry and Chris Cunningham long before they became popular with a wider audience. onedotzero_ch presents the Swiss edition of the British festival, which will be implemented within the framework of the Zurich Film Festival. The onedotzero_ch series will present its unconventional programme at the Kaufleuten club on Thursday, October 2 and Friday, October 3, 2008.


Presentation of the Events

Zurich Master Class_The Zurich Master Class was created in 2006 and is aimed at talented up-and-coming directors, actors, producers and image creators from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The participants of the Master Class have the opportunity to converse on equal footing with renowned personalities in a series of comprehensive workshop talks. Ken Loach, Bent Hamer, Tan Dun, Andreas Dresen, the “Golden Icon” guest Sylvester Stallone and the “A Tribute to…” guest Costa-Gavras are amongst the lecturers chosen for this year’s Master Class.

Zurich Producers’ Forum_The 2nd Zurich Producers’ Forum (September 29 until October 1, 2008), offers experienced producers, authors and financiers from Switzerland, Germany and Austria the possibility to present their latest cinema projects for the German-speaking region and discuss their co-productions. It also offers ample opportunities for intensive networking.

Opening Night_The 4th Zurich Film Festival will celebrate its opening at the cinema corso on September 25, 2008 with the Swiss premiere Der Baader Meinhof Komplex from director Uli Edel. In addition to numerous prominent guests traversing the red carpet, we also await the makers and actors of this film: Director Bernd Eichinger, producer Uli Edel and author Stefan Aust. Moritz Bleibtreu (Andreas Baader) and Nadja Uhl (Brigitte Mohnhaupt) will also make an appearance.

Closing Night_The three Golden Eyes will be awarded to the winners of the three competition categories New Feature Film, Debut Feature Film and Documentary Film. Additionally, the two shooting stars, Maryam Hassouni and Joel Basman will present the “Golden Eye” for the audience’s favourite film. The “A Tribute To…” guest Costa-Gavras will receive the award for his lifework. The Gala Party, with music and VIP guests, will round off the evening.




For any queries or further information about the 4th Zurich Film Festival please contact:
Nina Grewenkamp, Andrea Grossmann or Colette Nussbaum at media@zurichfilmfestival.org



Tickets are available for sale from today, September 11, 2008, on our website under www.zurichfilmfestival.org/tickets or can be reserved by calling the ticket hotline on 0900FESTIVAL (0900 – 337 848, 1.19 CHF/min) between 12:00 and 18:00. Further sale points include the tickethäuschen at Paradeplatz (from 15.09.2008, 12:00 until 19:00), Trambar Bellevue (from 15.09.2008, 12:00 until 14:00 and 17:00 until 21:00), Customer Services at Jelmoli (from 15.09.2008), the Service Centre at Zurich Airport (from 15.09.2008) and the festival cinemas corso (from 18.09.2008) and Arthouse Le Paris (from 25.09.2008).



Closing date for accreditation applications: 15.09.2008



The 4th Zurich Film Festival is generously supported by its main sponsors Audi, Credit Suisse, jobs.ch and L’Oréal Paris.
Competition Films 2008



Competition Feature Films

Dr. Aléman_Tom Schreiber, Germany 2008 – German-speaking Premiere (27.9.08, 18.30, Arthouse Le Paris)

Blood Appears/La Sangre Brota_Pablo Fendrik, Argentina/France/Germany 2008 – German-speaking premiere (1.10.08, 18:00, Arthouse Le Paris)

Jerusalema_Ralph Ziman, South Africa 2008 – Swiss Premiere (1.10.08, 18:00, corso 1)

Boogie_Radu Muntean, Rumania 2008 – Swiss Premiere (27.9.08, 18:00, corso 1)

The Wackness_Jonathan Levine, USA 2008 – German-speaking Premiere (29.9.08, 21:00, Arthouse Le Paris)

Dunya & Desie_Dana Nechushtan, Holland 2008 – Swiss Premiere (30.9.08, 21:00, Arthouse Le Paris)

A Thousand Oceans/Tausend Ozeane_Luki Frieden, Switzerland/Luxemburg 2008 – World Premiere (2.10.08, 19:00, Arthouse Le Paris)

The World Is Big And Salvation Lurks Around The Corner_Stephan Komandarev, Bulgaria/Germany/Hungary/Slovenia 2008 – Swiss Premiere (26.9.08, 21:00, Arthouse Le Paris)

Competition Debut Films

Before The Fall/3 Dîas_F. Javier Gutiérrez, Spain 2008 – Swiss Premiere (27.9.08, 21:00, Arthouse Le Paris)

Ballast_Lance Hammer, USA 2008 – Swiss Premiere (25.9.08, 21.15, Arthouse Le Paris)

Moscow, Belgium/Aanrijding in Moscou_Christophe van Rompaey, Belgium 2008 – Swiss Premiere (28.9.08, 21:00, Arthouse Le Paris)

Sell Out!_Yeo Joon Han, Malaysia 2008 – German-speaking Premiere (28.9.08, 18.30, Arthouse Le Paris)

Boy of Pigs_William Sten Olsson, USA 2008 – World Premiere (29.9.08, 18.30, corso 1)

The Man Who Loved Yngve/Mannen Som Elsket Yngve_Stian Kristiansen, Norway 2008 – German-speaking Premiere (2.10.08, 21.30, Arthouse Le Paris)

Tulpan_Sergey Dvortsevoy, Germany/Switzerland/Kazakhstan/Russia/Poland 2008 – German-speaking Premiere (25.9.08, 19:00, Arthouse Le Paris)

For A Moment, Freedom/Ein Augenblick, Freiheit_Arash T. Riahi, Austria/France 2008 – European Premiere (26.9.08, 18.30, Arthouse Le Paris)


Competition Documentary Films

Brides of Allah/Shahida_Natalie Assouline, Israel 2008 – Swiss Premiere (26.9.08, 19:00, corso 2)

My Life Inside/Mi Vida Dentro_Lucía Gajá, Mexico 2007 – Swiss Premiere (29.9.08, 19:00, corso 2)

The Flower Bridge/Podul De Flori_Thomas Ciulei, Rumania 2008 – Swiss Premiere (30.9.08, 20:00, corso 2)

Blind Loves/Slepé Lásky_Juraj Lehotsky, Slovakia 2008 – German-speaking Premiere (2.10.08, 21.30, corso 2)

Suddenly, Last Winter/ Improvisamente l’ Inverno Scorso_Gustav Hofer/Luca Ragazzi, Italy 2008 – Swiss Premiere (28.9.08, 20:00, corso 2)

The Art Star and The Sudanese Twins_Pietra Brettkelly, New Zealand 2008 – German-speaking Premiere (29.9.08, 20.15, corso2)

Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired_Marina Zenovich, USA 2008 – German-speaking Premiere (1.10.08, 20.30, corso 2)

Mr. Rakowski_Jan Diederen, Holland 2007 – Swiss Premiere (27.9.08, 20:00, corso 2)