Sound of Metal by Darius Marder was awarded the Golden Eye for Best International Feature Film at the 15th Zurich Film Festival. The film tells the story of a heavy-metal drummer (Riz Ahmed) who starts to lose his hearing and consequently begins to re-evaluate his place in the world.
The other Golden Eyes went to Collective by Alexander Nanau for Best International Documentary Film and System Crasher (Systemsprenger) by Nora Fingscheidt for Focus: Switzerland, Germany, Austria. The Golden Icon Award was given to Cate Blanchett.
The Audience Award went to Volunteer by Anna Thommen and Lorenz Nufer,.
The Golden Icon Award, the Festival’s most prestigious symbol of recognition, was given to Cate Blanchett. “We were honored to present Cate Blanchett with our Golden Icon Award at this year’s Festival”, said Zurich Film Festivals co-founders Nadja Schildknecht and Karl Spoerri. In addition to the Golden Icon Award, Cate Blanchett presented her film Where’d You Go, Bernadette during the festival.
15th Zurich Film Festival AWARDS
International Feature Film Competition
The 15th Zurich Film Festival’s Golden Eye for Best Film in the International Feature Film Competition category goes to: SOUND OF METAL by Darius Marder.A Special Mention goes to: BABYTEETH by Shannon Murphy, JUST 6.5 by Saeed Roustaee and A WHITE, WHITE DAY by Hlynur Pálmason.
Best Actress goes to QUEEN OF HEARTS by Trine Dyrholm and best Directing goes to MANO DE OBRA / WORKFORCE by David Zonana.
International Documentary Film Competition
The 15th Zurich Film Festival’s Golden Eye for Best Film in the International Documentary Film Competition category goes to: COLLECTIVE by Alexander Nanau.
A Special Mention goes to: 17 BLOCKS by Davy Rothbart and MIDNIGHT FAMILY by Luke Lorentzen.
Focus: Switzerland, Germany, Austria
The 15th Zurich Film Festival’s Golden Eye for Best Film in the Focus: Switzerland, Germany, Austria Competition category goes to: SYSTEMSPRENGER by Nora Fingscheidt.
A Special Mention goes to: LILLIAN by Andreas Horvath.
Audience Award
Given to the best film from the three competition categories as chosen by viewers, the Audience Award goes to: VOLUNTEER by Anna Thommen and Lorenz Nufer.
Kids Jury Award
The Kids Jury gives their award to: ZU WEIT WEG by Sarah Winkenstette, and the Audience Award in the ZFF for Kids section goes to INVISIBLE SUE by von Markus Dietrich from Germany.
Best Series
Best International TV Series goes to: JUST FOR TODAY by Nir Bergman und Ram Nehari.
Science Film Award
Presented by Eye On Science goes to Niklaus Hilber for BRUNO MANSER – DIE STIMME DES REGENWALDES. “A sweeping and urgent topical film about the preservation of forests, biodiversity and the importance of respecting human rights”, applauded the jury.