Academy Award-winning writer and director Martin McDonagh will receive the A Tribute To … Award at the 22nd Zurich Film Festival, recognizing his contribution to contemporary cinema. McDonagh will accept the honor in person during the Gala Premiere of his latest feature, WILD HORSE NINE.
The festival’s 22nd edition will welcome the Irish filmmaker, whose body of work includes IN BRUGES, THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI, and THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN. Known for combining dark humor, sharp dialogue and complex characters, McDonagh has established a distinctive style that has earned critical and international recognition.
Throughout his career, McDonagh has worked with actors including Colin Farrell (recipient of the 2025 ZFF Golden Icon Award), Brendan Gleeson, Sam Rockwell, and Woody Harrelson. THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI screened at the Zurich Film Festival in 2017, while THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN received its Gala Premiere at the festival in 2022 before going on to earn nine Academy Award nominations across eight categories.
In addition to receiving the A Tribute To … Award, McDonagh will participate in a ZFF Masters session, where he will discuss his creative process and filmmaking approach.
WILD HORSE NINE Premieres at Zurich
McDonagh’s latest feature, WILD HORSE NINE (2026), continues his exploration of morally complex and darkly comic themes.
Set shortly before the 1973 Chilean coup, the film follows CIA agents Chris (John Malkovich) and Lee (Sam Rockwell) as they travel