ZFF Academy

Explore! Connect! Collaborate!

In an effort to bring together as much talent from the field of filmmaking as possible, the Zurich Film Festival has been running the ZFF Academy (formerly ZFF Master Class) since 2006. Each year, aspiring producers, directors and/or screenwriters from around the world are chosen from hundreds of applicants to take part in this 5-day talent promotion programme. The next ZFF Academy will take place from Wednesday, October 1 to Sunday, October 5, 2025, as part of the 21st Zurich Film Festival (September 25 to October 5).

Programme

The ZFF Academy is a five-day talent programme for screenwriters, directors and producers. Each year, the ZFF Academy brings together emerging filmmakers with international film experts and provides a platform with international appeal. The programme is designed specifically for participants each year, and the intensive workshops in an intimate setting allow creative talents to network with each other, discuss ideas and working methods with renowned film industry figures, and explore the Zurich Film Festival.

Our Mission

The aim of the ZFF Academy is to promote exchange between notable filmmaking experts and aspiring directors, authors and producers.

Explore!

Discover the festival world, gain new experiences and share your passion for film with other filmmakers. The 5-day ZFF Academy programme aims to inspire, motivate and promote the exchange of practical know-how. Renowned experts join participants to discuss a variety of work processes and give intimate and exclusive masterclasses that offer personal insight into their creative oeuvre.

Connect!

We encourage encounters. The ZFF Academy is a platform that enables aspiring filmmakers to network with leading international film industry experts. As an integral part of the Zurich Film Festival, the ZFF Academy offers participants access to various networking events, parties and dinners.

Collaborate!

Filmmaking requires team work. The ZFF Academy is not just a leading networking platform for upcoming filmmakers, it also acts as a place of exchange and artistic development, and as a springboard for future collaborations.

The ZFF Academy Package

There are no participation or application fees for the ZFF Academy. Travel costs are not included in the programme and must be covered by the participants.

The ZFF Academy package includes:

Participation in the ZFF Academy programme
Industry accreditation for the respective Zurich Film Festival
First-class accommodation during the ZFF Academy
Breakfast and selected invitations to aperitifs or dinners
Invitations to numerous industry and networking events, such as the legendary Award Night Afterparty
PLEASE NOTE: The costs for travel, as well as meals not included in the program, such as some lunches, must be arranged and covered by the participants.

Masterclasses

The Masterclasses are the heart of the ZFF Academy. They are put together exclusively for the ZFF Academy and are based on the classic masterclass format. Participants are given the opportunity to question the guest speakers (experts) during each of the 1.5 hour long moderated sessions. The general public are not allowed access to these intimate, participant-only sessions.

The key themes raised in the masterclasses are different each year and depend very much on the speaker. Previous years, for example, have seen James D. Stern discuss the different emotional skills needed for directing, producing or writing, and a masterclass by director Lone Scherfig that was entitled "Innovative Approaches: Different Dramatic and Stylistic Concepts".

Bits & Pieces

The ZFF Academy’s Bits & Pieces strand offers participants the opportunity to project excerpts of their own work onto the cinema screen and receive direct feedback from their co-participants. Previous editions of the ZFF Academy have shown that the highly valuable and inspiring discussions that sprung out of this programme item have made it particularly popular with participants.

"A unique time of sharing and connecting, a great opportunity to meet other international filmmakers and put our practices in perspective!" - Paul Marques Duarte, Alumna 2022

How to & Elevator Pitch

The "How to..." series is all about taking action, with workshops on festival do's and don'ts or the art of self-presentation.

Since 2019, our legendary Elevator Pitch has also been part of the "How to..." series. The idea behind the Elevator Pitch is simple: It's all about making a great impression in a short time. The concept: One elevator ride – 32 seconds for a pitch.

2023 – Mastering Networking and Pitching: Unleash your impactful presentation

In 2023, our special event was dedicated to the art of self-presentation through body language. Networking and pitching were crucial skills in the film industry, encompassing the establishment of relationships and connections, as well as the art of self-presentation and pitching. As part of the interactive workshop "Mastering Networking and Pitching: Unleash your impactful presentation," talents learned how to present their ideas and projects in a convincing manner, inspire their counterparts, and exude self-confidence. They received practical tips and tricks for successful pitching, with exercises focusing on body presence through expression, posture, gestures, and voice. They then applied what they had learned in our popular ZFF Elevator Pitch. Feedback, networking opportunities, and moments of exchange were, of course, included during a Flying Dinner.

Experts: Anouk Scherer (b unique presentation, Founder & Owner), Susann Henggeler (Condor Films, Producer)

2022 – World Building and How to… present this universe

In 2022, everything revolved around the theme of WORLD BUILDING. In a special masterclass with Roland Emmerich the talents learned how to create mind-stunning cinematographic worlds. Where to find inspiration? How to get their filmic universes on the screen? And finally, how to make others believe in their created world. The talents then proved the latter at the following Elevator Pitch, by convincing either producer David Luisi that their idea belongs on to the screen or journalist Marta Balaga, that their created film deserves to be written out to the world.

2021 – Finding your audience | Film Marketing in the Development Stage: Success factors and strategies

In 2021, participants in the ZFF Elevator Pitch received valuable tips and tricks from marketing specialist John Durie on how to successfully develop marketing strategies in the early stages of a film's development. This event was followed by the ZFF Elevator Pitch itself and a speed meeting, all accompanied by a flying dinner.

Experts: John Durie (Marketing Specialist), Marta Balaga (Film Journalist), Wendy Mitchell (Film Festival Advisor).

Social & Networking Events

The Zurich Film Festival not only offers participants visibility, but also provides them with the perfect platform to network with invited industry representatives.

From receptions to Filmmaker Dinners, Talent Nights to the legendary Award Night After Party… the list of events is long – and we do our best, if planning allows, to throw the ZFF Academy talent headlong into the shimmering world of the ZFF.

ZFF Masters

The ZFF Masters are chaired discussions with celebrated personalities from the international film industry. They offer the public a fascinating insight into the creative process and attitude to film of directors, screenwriters, producers and actors. These renowned experts are also available for public_local question-and-answer sessions. For ZFF Academy participants seats at front row are reserved.

More ZFF Masters

Screenings & Photocalls

The ZFF Academy programme is packed with even more content: films by the speakers are, where possible, viewed together at the festival; we even book whole theatres just for our participants.

In order to get our talent noticed, it has also become tradition for participants to gather at the Green Carpet for their very own photocall – a joy for some and a pain for others – either way, standing in front of the professional lens is an unforgettable experience for all.

And, of course, we allow our participants some free time to enjoy the festival, discover the city and relax in their first-class hotel accommodation.

Application

How to apply?

The application window for the next ZFF Academy will open in spring 2025 and will be announced via the Industry Newsletter. Subscribe to the newsletter here.

Application criteria

Your application for the ZFF Academy can only be considered if you fulfill the following criteria:

You are active in one of the following professional fields: directing, screenwriting, producing.
You have either worked on at least one feature or documentary film, or have directed, produced or written several short films or series that have been shown at international film festivals. (The ZFF Academy has no age limit).
You are fluent in English.
You have submitted the online application form completely and correctly by Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 23:59 CEST at the latest.

Work Sample

Please send us the work from your filmography that best represents you in your eyes. This does not necessarily have to be your latest work. In the application form is necessary:

Link (Vimeo/YouTube/WeTransfer) to your work sample (complete film).
Timecode to a max. five-minute excerpt of your work sample. If your sample is a short that is no longer than five minutes, your entire short will be considered an excerpt.

What is accepted as a work sample? A feature-length film, short film (short) or series (incl. web series) in the field of fiction, non-fiction (documentaries, hybrid films or other forms), animation, video art incl. music video can be submitted as a film.

For directors and producers: A complete film that you have directed, produced or co-produced.

For screenwriters and authors: A complete movie for which you wrote the screenplay. The screenplay as such cannot be submitted as a work sample; a cinematic work of your screenplay must already exist.

Additional criteria:

If the original version of the film is not in English or German, the film must have English subtitles.
Only one work sample can be submitted.
Please note: Trailers, movie reels, teasers, clips from several films and screenplays do NOT count as work samples.

The Zurich Film Festival guarantees that the submitted work sample will only be used for application purposes. Answers to frequently asked questions can be found in the FAQ below. If you have any questions about the application process or the ZFF Academy, please feel free to send an e-mail to [email protected].

Participants

Find out more about all our ZFF Academy Participants and Alumni of the past few years!

All ZFF Academy Alumni of past years

ZFF Academy Speaker

Our Academy participants benefit from intimate masterclasses from high-profile speakers. Christine Vachon, Todd Haynes, Michel Merkt and Alexander Nanau, among others, have already passed on their knowledge to our participants.

Our Speaker 2023

Ali Abbasi

Director

Martin Bachmann

Manager (CEO)

Constantin Film Verleih GmbH

Oliver Berben

CEO

Constantin Film Verleih GmbH

Lee Daniels

Director & Producer

Susann Henggeler

Producer

Kevin Macdonald

Director

Joshua Oppenheimer

Director

Ewa Puszczyńska

Producer (Founder & CEO)

Extreme Emotions

Katrin Renz

Producer (Partner & Managing Director)

Tellfilm GmbH

Andrea Štaka

Producer

Okofilm Productions GmbH

Snezana van Houwelingen

Producer

This and That Productions

Previous ZFF Academy Speaker

Impressions

FAQs

What is the ZFF Academy?

The ZFF Academy is a 5-day intensive programme, designed for directors, scriptwriters or producers, being at the beginning of their career, organised within the framework of the Zurich Film Festival in Switzerland. In the context of the programme the selected participants get the chance to meet and learn from the film industry's most notable experts.

Who is behind the ZFF Academy?

As mentioned above, the ZFF Academy is organised within the framework of the Zurich Film Festival. The programme is organised by its Industry Team.

When will the ZFF Academy 2025 take place?

The next ZFF Academy will take place from Wednesday, October 1 to Sunday, October 5, 2025, as part of the 21st Zurich Film Festival (September 25 to October 5).

What is included in the ZFF Academy?

The next ZFF Academy will take place from Wednesday, October 1 to Sunday, October 5, 2025, as part of the 21st Zurich Film Festival (September 25 to October 5).

What does the specific content of the programme look like?

The programme is refined and adapted each year to the selected participants. Check out the content section above for more information.

Who can apply?

In general, everybody is welcome to submit an application irrespective of age, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, as long as following requirements are met: The applicant is an aspiring director, scriptwriter or producer, who has worked on either one feature length film, a number of short fims, or a TV/web series that has been internationally recognized and is fluent in English. You'll find the precise eligibility requirements under this link.

Is there an age limitation?

No, we kindly invite every filmmaker in the beginning of a film career irrespective of age to submit us an application.

Can I apply as a DoP, Editor, Sound Designer?

No, the ZFF Academy is only open to directors, producers or scriptwriters.

If you have been unsuccessful in a previous application, can you apply again?

Yes, you can.

How to apply?

The application process consists of two steps:

Prepare the necessary documents to complete the online form.
Complete the online form in spring 2025. You will receive the exact details via the Industry Newsletter. Sign up for it here.

What are the important points regarding your motivation letter?

You will need to state your motivation in the online application form. It is a good idea to plan ahead and type out some of your answers in a separate document. You can then cut and paste them directly into the application form. Please remember not to exceed the 1500 characters incl. signs. We will strictly not read the signs exceeding the maximum amount of characters. A good tip is: remain personal. We don't expect you to write a novel.

Which Work Sample should I submit?

Participants should choose one complete film from their body of work. We expect participants to submit the one that represents them best. This does not necessarily need to be their most recent work.

Can I submit more than one Work Sample?

No, we only accept one Work Sample.

Which excerpt from my chosen work sample should I submit?

It is up to you to choose which excerpt you would like to submit. Think about which scene best represents the film you have submitted. It is important that the excerpt is no longer than five minutes, but it may be shorter. If you submit a short film that is shorter than the five minutes, you may enter the entire short as your excerpt.

Can I enter a five-minute excerpt from a film other than the one I submitted?

No. The five-minute excerpt must be from the submitted film.

How many participants are selected for ZFF Academy?

20 applicants are selected to participate in the ZFF Academy.

How long will it take to hear back from us after you submit your application?

It is expected that by the end of August, all individuals who have submitted a valid application will receive feedback regarding the selection

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ZFF Academy

Explore! Connect! Collaborate!

Programme

Explore!

Connect!

Collaborate!

Application

Application criteria

Work Sample

Participants

ZFF Academy Speaker

Our Speaker 2023

Ali Abbasi

Director

Martin Bachmann

Manager (CEO)

Constantin Film Verleih GmbH

Oliver Berben

CEO

Constantin Film Verleih GmbH

Lee Daniels

Director & Producer

Susann Henggeler

Producer

Kevin Macdonald

Director

Joshua Oppenheimer

Director

Ewa Puszczyńska

Producer (Founder & CEO)

Extreme Emotions

Katrin Renz

Producer (Partner & Managing Director)

Tellfilm GmbH

Andrea Štaka

Producer

Okofilm Productions GmbH

Snezana van Houwelingen

Producer

This and That Productions

Previous ZFF Academy Speaker

Babak Jalali

2023

Crystal Moselle

2023

Finola Dwyer

2023

Juho Kuosmanen

2023

Michel Merkt

2023

Todd Haynes

2023

Alexander Nanau

2022

Christine Vachon

2022

Lorenzo Mieli

2022

Marta Balaga

2021 I 2022

Maryam Touzani

2022

Roland Emmerich

2022

Ninja Thyberg

2021

Asif Kapadia

Baran Bo Odar

Karim Aïnouz

Agnieszka Holland

Bettina Oberli

Impressions

FAQs

Partner

Supported by

Location Partner

ZFF Industry Newsletter

Never miss a program release again

Explore!