Tenzing, the drama based on the story behind the first ascent of Mount Everest, starring Tom Hiddleston and Willem Dafoe, will open the 22nd Zurich Film Festival.
Based on a true story, Tenzing, directed by award-winning filmmaker Jennifer Peedom, tells the little-known story of Tenzing Norgay (Genden Phuntsok), a gifted mountaineer from the Himalayas who, together with New Zealand alpinist Edmund Hillary (Tom Hiddleston), became the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, 8,849 metres above sea level, in 1953.
Encouraged by his wife Dawa (Thinley Lhamo), Tenzing finds an ally in expedition secretary Jill Henderson (Caitríona Balfe). Together, they convince Colonel John Hunt (Willem Dafoe) that Tenzing should not merely serve the British expedition team but be a full-fledged member. While Western climbers regard “Everest” as a peak to be conquered, Tenzing reveres ‘Chomolungma’ as a sacred mother goddess. What follows is an ascent shaped as much by tensions of origin, class, and conflicting ambitions as by the mountain’s dangers.
“At its heart, Tenzing is about a man who dared to imagine a life beyond the limits the world had placed on him, and the courage, sacrifice and belief it took to reach the highest point on earth,” says director and producer Jennifer Peedom. “The spirit of ‘dream big’ feels incredibly fitting, and I’m thrilled that Tenzing will open the Zurich Film Festival and be shared with audiences there.”
Tom Hiddleston, Willem Dafoe and director Jennifer Peedom (Sherpa, Mountain) are expected to walk the Green Carpet in person at the festive opening gala on September 24, where they will present the film together.
“This year’s ZFF motto is ‘dream big.’ Our breathtaking opening film Tenzing fits perfectly, because it shows how you can grow beyond yourself when you have a big dream,” Zurich Film Festival CEO Christian Jungen explains. “We are proud that not one but two Hollywood stars are coming to Zurich to present Tenzing together with acclaimed director Jennifer Peedom. The film offers powerful emotion and mountain scenery of sublime beauty. But it also carries an important message for our time: The first ascent of Mount Everest only succeeded because the climbers respected the local Sherpa people and the laws of nature.”
Following its European premiere at the Zurich Film Festival, Tenzing will premiere in select theaters on October 9 and on Apple TV on Friday, October 16, 2026.
The 22nd edition of Zurich Film Festival will take place from September 24 to October 4, 2026.
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