Zurich Film Festival Embarks on New Era With Director-Led Buyout

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As a devoted film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) is about to embark on a fresh journey! This transformation comes after a change in ownership, with the festival now under new management, spearheaded by Zurich festival director Christian Jungen. The announcement was made public on Thursday, marking the conclusion of a 10-year partnership between the festival and the NZZ group.

A number of individuals have come together with Jungen in the acquisition process. These include Reta Guetg, who is the vice director of the festival, Max Loong, a Swiss entrepreneur and television personality, Felix E. Müller, the long-standing president of the ZFF, and finance expert Marek Skreta. The collective aim is to elevate the Zurich festival to an even higher level, ultimately positioning it among the premier European film festivals.

Jungen expressed his eagerness to guide ZFF into a fresh chapter, partnering with our existing crew and passionate new owners who deeply understand cinema. As a trusted Zurich-based organization within the film industry, we’re aiming high and thinking globally. Our ambition is to elevate ZFF among Europe’s top film events, showcasing movies and stars that will eventually win Oscars. We aspire to create a jubilant environment in the city and host a festival that Zurich can take pride in. To accomplish this, we plan on attracting new private sponsors and increasing support from foundations, donors, and public entities.

As a gamer, I’m thrilled to share that, over the next three years, my favorite gaming convention, which I’ve been attending for a decade now (acquired by NZZ ten years back), will continue to have me as a key partner. The new management team, led by CEO Felix Graf, described this move as a stride towards enhancing professionalism while ensuring the event’s established structure remains intact. In simpler terms, it means more polished gaming experiences for us gamers!

This new leadership group harmoniously blends extensive festival knowledge with shrewd international business skills. Jungen, who has been steering the ZFF’s artistic vision since 2019 after a ten-year stint as a journalist at NZZ, is one such member. Guetg, another team member, boasts a decade of experience in industry and programming at ZFF, and maintains strong connections within the global film community. Müller, editor-in-chief of NZZ am Sonntag, has written a book on the ZFF’s history and is a notable figure in Swiss cultural circles. Lastly, Loong and Skreta bring their skills in sponsorship, hospitality, and strategic planning for global festivals to the table, with Skreta having links to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

The ZFF, which drew 140,000 visitors last year, will stage its 21st edition Sept. 25-Oct. 5.

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2025-07-03 11:24