Zurich Film Festival Announces Star-Studded Gala Lineup for 2026

The 22nd Zurich International Film Festival has released its gala slate for the 2026 edition, which runs from September 9 (scheduled) through October 10 (occurred). The program features a mix of world, European and international premieres, including Peter Farrelly’s *I Play Rocky*, Beth de Araújo’s *Josephine*, Lee Chang-dong’s *Possible Love*, and the sci-fi fantasy rom-com *Wicker* by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson. Three world premieres—Andreas Dresen’s *Love, After All*, Doris Dörrie’s *How Can I Help?*, and Simon Wallon’s documentary *The Hammer*—will debut in Zurich.

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The gala selections reflect the festival’s strategy of blending high-profile international titles with emerging European works, reinforcing its reputation as a crossroads for North American, Asian and European filmmakers.

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• Peter Farrelly — director of *I Play Rocky*, starring Anthony Ippolito as a young Sylvester Stallone.

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• Beth de Araújo — director of *Josephine*, starring Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan.

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• Lee Chang-dong — acclaimed Korean director of *Possible Love*.

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• Alex Huston Fischer & Eleanor Wilson — co-directors of *Wicker*, featuring Olivia Colman, Alexander Skarsgård and Elizabeth Debicki.

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• Andreas Dresen — director of *Love, After All*.

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• Doris Dörrie — director of *How Can I Help?*.

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• Simon Wallon — director of *The Hammer*, a portrait of auctioneer Simon de Pury.

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• September 9 – Festival opening and start of gala screenings.

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• September 2, 1998 – Historical date depicted in *111 – Echoes from Halifax*, which recounts the Swissair Flight 111 crash.

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• October 10 – Festival closing.

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• 13 titles are highlighted in the gala lineup, spanning drama, comedy, documentary and sci-fi fantasy.

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• World premieres in Zurich: *Love, After All*, *How Can I Help?*, *The Hammer*.

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• International premieres: *111 – Echoes from Halifax* (Swiss-Canadian co-production).

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• European premiere: *I Play Rocky* (world premiere scheduled for Toronto).

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• Other notable premieres: *Possible Love* (Venice), *Josephine* (Sundance and Berlin), *Wicker* (Sundance).

Hollywood Reporter

By assembling a slate that includes high-profile North American stars (Channing Tatum, Olivia Colman) alongside acclaimed Asian auteurs (Lee Chang-dong) and European directors, Zurich aims to attract global distributors, critics and awards voters. The inclusion of multiple world premieres enhances the festival’s bargaining power with streaming platforms and theatrical exhibitors, potentially shaping the awards-season narrative for the featured films.

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No substantive discrepancies were identified among the available sources regarding the titles, premiere statuses or festival dates.

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