The 17th Zurich Film Festival will screen films for the first time in the recently renovated Zurich Convention Center. Equipped with the latest cutting-edge technology, the centre’s main hall can accommodate up to 1665 visitors. Located at the very heart of Zurich, the festival’s new screening venue offers the ZFF significant potential for growth.
After undergoing a complete revamp lasting four years, the newly renovated Zurich Convention Center on the shore of Lake Zurich opens its doors once again late this coming summer. The screening of films at the venue by the 17th Zurich Film Festival (September 23 until October 3, 2021) will constitute the center’s first large-scale event. The 17th ZFF will show films from its programme in the 1665-seat main hall during the second week of the festival. “The new Convention Center with its spectacular location on the shore of Lake Zurich is a real jewel. Thanks to its main hall, we are delighted, finally, to be able to screen to audiences of more than 1500 people, which, in turn, offers the ZFF significant potential for growth. If we take a look at other festivals, such as Cannes, Berlin and Venice, we see that a large multi-purpose hall has been missing to date from our location,” explained ZFF Director Christian Jungen. “The stairs and terrace at the main entrance also provide the perfect location for glamourous photo shoots with the stars set against the backdrop of an incredible lake and mountain landscape.”
The ZFF will screen films in the new location from September 27 until October 1, 2021. Plans are also in the pipeline for the festival to screen films in the Convention Center for the entire duration of future editions. Roger Büchel, CEO of the Zurich Convention Center, is delighted with the partnership: “The Zurich Film Festival needs illustrious locations, its visitors expect unique experiences, and the Zurich Convention Center needs lighthouse projects – put simply, it’s a win-win-win situation for all parties.”
Elke Mayer, Managing Director of Spoundation Motion Picture AG, who together with her team will be responsible for implementing the ZFF at the Convention Center, explained: “The reopening of the Zurich Convention Center also sees the return of the Tonhalle to the lake basin. This presents a great chance for the festival, which has collaborated since 2012 with the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich to organise the International Film Music Competition and a film music concert. Film and music are now once again spatially united.”
By screening films at the Convention Center, the ZFF further strengthens its position at the very heart of the city. The Festival Centre and the Green Carpet remain at Sechseläutenplatz within the immediate vicinity of the flagship blue cinema Corso and Arthouse Le Paris cinemas, and just a few minutes’ walk from the Convention Center. Along with its other screening locations, including the Arena Cinemas, Kosmos and Filmpodium, the festival is present throughout the entire city.
The 17th Zurich Film Festival takes place from September 23 until October 3, 2021.