Zurich Film Festival

Willem Dafoe opened the 22nd Zurich Film Festival at the Kongresshaus with his new film, TENZING, portraying Colonel John Hunt. In this ZFF Masters, he shares his early acting days in his theatre group, what drives him when it comes to choosing roles, and how the key to his successful acting is actually rooted in reality. For decades, American actor Willem Dafoe has been one of Hollywood's most versatile and multifaceted actors, equally at home in both blockbuster and arthouse cinema. Through his collaborations with directors such as David Lynch, Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson, Yorgos Lanthimos, and Robert Eggers, he has established a reputation as one of the most influential actors in international auteur cinema.

Cover Photo: Jonas Wiemann

In this ZFF Masters session, Tom Hiddleston discusses his latest film TENZING, in which he portrays legendary mountaineer Edmund Hillary. He reflects on the film's focus on Tenzing Norgay and his perspective on the historic 1953 Everest expedition, as well as his experiences preparing for the demanding role and working with Sherpas in the Himalayas. Hiddleston also looks back on key moments in his career and shares personal insights into his approach to acting, the importance of empathy, research and authenticity, and what he has learned from inhabiting such diverse characters. Tom Hiddleston is an acclaimed British actor known for his versatility across film, television and theatre. He first gained recognition through his early collaborations with director Joanna Hogg before rising to international fame as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His extensive filmography includes THOR, THE AVENGERS, THE NIGHT MANAGER, ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE and KONG: SKULL ISLAND. Over the course of his career, Hiddleston has portrayed a wide range of characters, from Shakespearean heroes and literary figures to spies, villains and supernatural beings. At the 22nd Zurich Film Festival, he presented TENZING and took part in the ZFF Masters program. ZFF Masters are in-depth conversations with renowned voices from world cinema, which are open to the public and take place during the Zurich Film Festival. They offer audiences insight into the creative process and artistic vision of personalities in film around the world. Cover Photo: Andreas Rentz via Getty Images #ZFF2026 #zurichfilmfestival

Kristen Stewart is one of the most influential actresses of her generation. At the age of eleven, she appeared alongside Jodie Foster in PANIC ROOM. She made her big breakthrough with the role of Bella Swan in the film adaptation of the TWILIGHT series. In later projects such as SEBERG, CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA, and STILL ALICE, she demonstrated her versatility. She was nominated for an Oscar in 2022 for her role as Princess Diana in SPENCER. Back in 2019, she was honored with the Golden Eye Award at the 15th Zurich Film Festival. In a previously recorded, previously unreleased episode of ZFF Masters, she talks about her career.

Ethan Hawke joined us at #ZFF2023 for a ZFF Masters conversation about his multifaceted career. As he is now nominated for the 2026 Oscars for his performance in BLUE MOON, it feels like the perfect moment to revisit this episode #FromTheArchive. A quick note: we experienced some technical issues during the recording of this episode, but the conversation was far too good to keep in the vault.

Hawke first captured worldwide attention in DEAD POETS SOCIETY and has since demonstrated remarkable range across genres: from the romantic wit of the BEFORE trilogy to the intensity of TRAINING DAY. Beyond acting, he has also built an impressive body of work as a producer, director, and author.

In this ZFF Masters, he reflects on his creative journey, artistic curiosity, and the many directions his career has taken.

Der Schweizer Regisseur Rolf Lyssy gehört mit seinem beeindruckenden Œuvre aus Spiel- und Dokumentarfilmen zählt Rolf Lyssy zu den herausragenden Filmemachern der Schweiz. So gehört sein Meisterwerk DIE SCHWEIZERMACHER bis heute zu den erfolgreichsten Schweizer Filmen. Weitere grosse Erfolge feierte er mit Dialektkomödien wie TEDDY BÄR und LEO SONNYBOY. Gleichzeitig widmete er sich gesellschaftlichen Brennthemen, mit DIE LETZTE POINTE etwa dem selbstbestimmten Leben im Alter. In seiner ZFF Masters aus dem Jahr 2020 sprach Lyssy über Hochs und Tiefs seiner Karriere und seinen Spielfilm EDEN FÜR JEDEN.

British actress Claire Foy is one of Europe's most versatile character actresses. Known for her portrayal of young Queen Elizabeth II in the award-winning Netflix production THE CROWN (2016–2023) and works in films like THE SEASON OF THE WITCH (2011), WOMEN TALKING (2022) and ALL OF US STRANGERS (2023), she earned praise by critics world wide. In this ZFF Masters episode, she shares personal stories from her career in the film business and how she became the actress she is today. She also talks about her latest drama, H IS FOR HAWK, which celebrated its international premiere at Zurich Film Festival. The film released in the UK and US on 23 January 2026. ZFF Masters are in-depth conversations with renowned voices from world cinema, which are open to the public and take place during the Zurich Film Festival. They offer audiences insight into the creative process and artistic vision of personalities in film around the world. The full talks are available on YouTube and as podcast. Cover Photo: Sandro Bäbler #ZFF2025 #zurichfilmfestival

In this ZFF Masters session, Scottish actor James McAvoy reflects on his journey as an actor, his Scottish roots, and what art means to him. He discusses how defining roles in films such as THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, X-MEN, and ATONEMENT shaped his career and artistic identity, and shares insights into his directorial debut CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN'.

Renowned for his remarkable range, James McAvoy is one of the most distinctive performers of his generation. The Scottish-born actor appeared early on in television and film projects including THE NEAR ROOM, REGENERATION, and BAND OF BROTHERS. He achieved international recognition with SHAMELESS (2004–2005), followed by global success as Mr. Tumnus in THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE. His performance in THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND earned him a BAFTA Scotland Award, while ATONEMENT brought BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations. From the psychological intensity of SPLIT to blockbuster roles in the X-MEN franchise, McAvoy continues to demonstrate extraordinary versatility. With CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN', he now steps behind the camera for his directorial debut.

In this ZFF Masters episode, Benedict Cumberbatch reflects on the experiences and creative decisions that shaped his career. He speaks about the lasting impact of iconic roles such as Sherlock and Doctor Strange, and shares insights into his work as a producer and what storytelling beyond acting means to him. Charisma, intelligence, and an unmistakable voice define Benedict Cumberbatch, CBE, as one of the most influential actors of his generation. Rising to international fame with SHERLOCK (2010–2017), he went on to deliver acclaimed performances in films such as ATONEMENT (2007), 12 YEARS A SLAVE (2013), THE IMITATION GAME (2014), and THE POWER OF THE DOG (2021), earning two Academy Award nominations. Alongside his work in auteur cinema, he became a global figure as Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and lent his voice to Smaug in THE HOBBIT trilogy. At the 21st Zurich Film Festival, Cumberbatch received the Golden Eye Award for his versatile career, followed by a screening of his new film THE THING WITH FEATHERS. ZFF Masters are in-depth conversations with renowned voices from world cinema, open to the public and held during the Zurich Film Festival. They offer audiences a rare opportunity to gain insight into the creative process and artistic vision of leading figures in film. Cover photo: Anne Morgenstern #ZFF2025 #zurichfilmfestival

In this ZFF Masters episode, Amanda Seyfried reflects on the roles and experiences that have shaped her into one of the most beloved and versatile performers of our time. She discusses the impact of iconic films like MAMMA MIA! and MEAN GIRLS and shares behind-the-scenes stories from fan-favourite projects. She also offers insights into her latest film, THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE which she presented at the 21st Zurich Film Festival, already marking her as a major contender this awards season.

Amanda Seyfried has long been one of the defining faces of contemporary American cinema. After gaining early attention in the TV series AS THE WORLD TURNS and ALL MY CHILDREN, she broke through with the hit comedy MEAN GIRLS (2004), paving the way for major film roles. She went on to star in HBO's BIG LOVE and lead the global phenomenon MAMMA MIA! (2008) and its sequel, showcasing her vocal talent. Her range expanded further through acclaimed performances in JENNIFER'S BODY, CHLOE and LES MISÉRABLES. Seyfried earned her first Academy Award nomination for portraying Marion Davies in David Fincher's MANK (2020). She achieved her biggest television success with her Emmy and Golden Globe winning performance as Elizabeth Holmes in THE DROPOUT (2022).

ZFF Masters are in-depth conversations with renowned voices from world cinema, open to the public and held during the Zurich Film Festival. They offer audiences a rare opportunity to gain insight into the creative process and artistic vision of leading figures in film. This episode is presented by Deadline. Cover photo: Anne Morgenstern #ZFF2025 #zurichfilmfestival

In this ZFF Masters episode, actor and producer Dakota Johnson talks to ZFF Co-Owner Max Loong, reflecting on how growing up in a film family shaped her artistic instincts and professional path. She discusses the founding of her production company TeaTime Pictures – a company powered primarily by women – and offers behind-the-scenes insight into the eclectic range of projects she has taken on throughout her career.

Dakota Johnson has become one of Hollywood's most compelling talents, known for her distinctive screen presence and increasingly impactful work as a producer. After early roles in films such as THE SOCIAL NETWORK and 21 JUMP STREET, she achieved worldwide recognition with the FIFTY SHADES trilogy, earning a 2016 BAFTA Rising Star nomination. Since then, she has balanced acclaimed indie projects like A BIGGER SPLASH, SUSPIRIA, and THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON with major studio films including BLACK MASS and THE LOST DAUGHTER. In 2019, she co-founded TeaTime Pictures with Ro Donnelly, a company driven largely by women. At the 21st Zurich Film Festival, Johnson opened the festival with her new production, SPLITSVILLE and received the Golden Eye Award.

ZFF Masters are in-depth conversations with renowned voices from world cinema, open to the public and held during the Zurich Film Festival. They offer audiences a rare opportunity to gain insight into the creative process and artistic vision of leading figures in film.

Cover photo: Maurice Haas

#ZFF2025 #zurichfilmfestival