Zurich Film Festival steps into a new era

«Under Christian Jungen’s leadership, the ZFF has evolved into a major cultural brand», says Felix Graf, CEO of  NZZ. «With this management buyout, we are enabling the festival to enter its next phase of professionalization and strategic development while ensuring the continuity it deserves. NZZ will remain closely connected to the festival, including as its main partner for another three years.»

«I would like to thank NZZ for its commitment to the festival and to film culture», says Festival Director Christian Jungen, who spent 16 years at NZZ— ten as a journalist and six as the director of the ZFF. «Now, I am excited to lead the ZFF into a new era together with our current team and new owners who love cinema and know the festival inside out. We are a Zurich-based solution that has the trust of our partners and the filmmaking community. We are thinking big and we are thinking internationally. Our goal is to position the ZFF as one of Europe’s premier film events, where audiences can see the films and stars that will go on to win Oscars later in the season. We want to bring joy and a celebratory atmosphere to the city and host a festival that Zurich can be proud of. To achieve this, we will secure new private partners and expand support from foundations, donors, and public institutions.»

Cinema Frame Launches New Concept and Expanded Vision

Under the operation of Kinokoni, the cinema Frame at Europaallee will adopt a new profile. Following successful ventures in Olten and Basel, cinema and hospitality entrepreneur Konrad Schibli is bringing his boutique cinema concept to Zurich. In addition to a curated film selection –occasionally complemented by more commercially oriented titles –the focus will increasingly be on gastronomy, venue rentals, and an enhanced visitor experience. The Frame, as the «Home of the Zurich Film Festival», will remain a central part of the concept.

«Together with Christian Jungen and the ZFF team, we aim to make the festival’s unique energy tangible year-round», says Konrad Schibli. «Our goal is to turn the Frame into a vibrant meeting place for film lovers and the Zurich community, just as we have done with our other cinema locations.»

«Through the curated programming at the Frame, we can showcase our signature style beyond the festival period», adds Christian Jungen. «Together with Konrad Schibli and his team, we will further develop this successful concept with screenings, premieres, panels, and events». Following the upcoming ZFF edition, two of the cinema’s six auditoriums will be newly furnished, and table service will be introduced for an elevated audience experience.