Zurich, September 2, 2026 — Academy Award-winning actress Julianne Moore will receive the Golden Icon Award at the 22nd Zurich Film Festival in recognition of her distinguished career and performance in Jesse Eisenberg’s upcoming film THE DEBUT. Moore will attend the festival in person and accept the award alongside Eisenberg.
The Zurich Film Festival has named Moore a guest of honor for its 22nd edition. With a career spanning more than three decades, the actress has worked with some of contemporary cinema’s most acclaimed directors, including Robert Altman on SHORT CUTS, Paul Thomas Anderson on BOOGIE NIGHTS and MAGNOLIA, and Joel and Ethan Coen on THE BIG LEBOWSKI.
Moore has also developed a long-running creative partnership with director Todd Haynes, appearing in SAFE, FAR FROM HEAVEN and MAY DECEMBER. The latter screened at the 20th Zurich Film Festival in 2024.
Julianne Moore Honored for Career and THE DEBUT
At this year’s festival, Moore will receive the Golden Icon Award for her lifetime achievement as an actress as well as her performance in THE DEBUT.
The film represents Moore’s second collaboration with Jesse Eisenberg, following his 2022 directorial debut WHEN YOU FINISH SAVING THE WORLD. THE DEBUT is Eisenberg’s third feature as a director.
The film follows Mona Friedman, played by Moore, who is cast in a small role at a community theater. Initially a shy and unassuming housewife, Mona becomes increasingly committed to method acting and determined to protect the artistic integrity of her minor part, even as she comes into conflict with the production’s domineering director.
“Julianne Moore is one of the outstanding character actresses of American cinema. She possesses remarkable versatility and, time and again, manages to captivate us with her intense portrayals of the characters she plays. No matter which film we see her in, we find ourselves rooting for her characters,” said Christian Jungen, CEO of the Zurich Film Festival.
“In the wonderful film THE DEBUT, she delivers a brilliant performance as a woman who realizes it’s not too late to fulfill her deeply personal dream: becoming an actress. It is Julianne Moore’s love letter to her own profession – and thus the perfect film with which to thank her, with our Golden Icon Award, for so many wonderful cinematic experiences,” Jungen added.
A Career Defined by Versatility
Moore is an Academy Award, Emmy, Golden Globe and BAFTA-winning actor whose work spans both film and television. Her acclaimed performances include roles in STILL ALICE, FAR FROM HEAVEN, THE HOURS, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT and BOOGIE NIGHTS.
She became the first American woman to receive top acting honors at the Berlin, Venice and Cannes film festivals, further establishing her reputation as one of her generation’s leading performers.
Her more recent credits include Todd Haynes’ MAY DECEMBER, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination; Apple TV’s ECHO VALLEY; Pedro Almodóvar’s THE ROOM NEXT DOOR; Netflix’s limited series SIRENS; and the historical miniseries MARY & GEORGE.
Moore will next appear in Eisenberg’s A24 musical comedy THE DEBUT. In 2027, she is also set to return to the stage in the title role of the Off Broadway play Faydra.
Outside acting, Moore is a New York Times bestselling children’s author known for the Freckleface Strawberry series. She is also the founding chair of Everytown for Gun Safety’s Creative Council, where she advocates for efforts to end gun violence in America.
With more than 70 films to her name, Moore has established a body of work spanning a broad range of genres and characters.
Zurich Film Festival’s Golden Icon Award
The Golden Icon Award has been presented by the Zurich Film Festival since 2008. The honor recognizes the lifetime achievements of actors and actresses whose careers and performances have left a lasting mark on cinema and made them icons of their generation.
Previous recipients include Kate Winslet, Sylvester Stallone and Sharon Stone, among others.
Moore will receive the award during the 22nd Zurich Film Festival in Zurich, where she will also be joined by Jesse Eisenberg in connection with THE DEBUT.