Roger Crotti, former Disney manager for the DACH region, is taking over as Chairman of the Board of Directors of ZFF AG, succeeding Felix E. Müller. Together with Artistic Director Christian Jungen and SMP Managing Director Jennifer Somm, Crotti will continue to develop the ZFF and strengthen its position as a premium film festival. The festival is characterized by the discovery of new talents and the presentation of the most anticipated films of the year to a broad audience.
Change at the top of the Zurich Film Festival: Roger Crotti becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors of ZFF AG. Together with Artistic Director Christian Jungen and Jennifer Somm, Managing Director of the event and marketing agency Spoundation Motion Picture AG, he will develop the ZFF’s strategy. Crotti previously worked at Disney for over 30 years, the last ten years as Country Manager for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Felix Graf, CEO of the NZZ, to which the ZFF belongs since 2016, says: “We are delighted to have gained Roger Crotti, a profound expert in the entertainment business and an excellent marketeer. He will help us to further expand the international appeal of the ZFF and successfully lead the festival, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, into its jubilee year. I would like to thank Felix E. Müller for his great commitment and outstanding work as Chairman of the Board of Directors over the past five years.” Crotti succeeds Felix E. Müller, who has been Chairman of ZFF AG since 2018.
Crotti has spent the past 11 years in Munich. During this time, he not only successfully introduced Disney+, but also firmly established it in the market. Under Crotti’s leadership, the Disney team was able to bring AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER, the most successful film of all time, to cinemas in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Crotti has rendered outstanding services to Swiss film: he wrote Swiss blockbuster cinema history back in 2003 with ACHTUNG, FERTIG, CHARLIE, in 2006 with DIE HERBSTZEITLOSEN and in 2010 with SENNENTUNTSCHI. He has known the ZFF since day one – and has supported it over the years. The first ZFF opened in 2005 with the Disney film FLIGHTPLAN. Crotti: “The ZFF has established a strong position in the international film business. I look forward to continuing to develop the strategy of this cultural beacon with the team. Two important topics that will occupy the ZFF are the year-round presence of the ZFF in the Frame cinema in Zurich and its perception in German-speaking countries.”
ZFF Director Christian Jungen is delighted with Crotti’s appointment: “With his great commitment and his network, Felix E. Müller has done much to raise the profile of the ZFF in Zurich and Switzerland. We would like to thank him from the bottom of our hearts. Now, with Roger Crotti, we will increase our reputation in the international film scene, because Roger has excellent contacts in Hollywood and Germany, which are very important for us”
Felix E. Müller will be officially bid farewell in April with a vernissage of his book “Hollywood an der Limmat: Die Erfolgsgeschichte des Zurich Film Festival” at Kino Frame.