On Becoming a Guinea Fowl and Black Box Diaries win Golden Eyes

Feature Film Competition – ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL by Rungano Nyoni

In this category, 14 first, second, and third directorial works by directors from around the world compete. At the 20th ZFF, the second directorial work ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL by Rungano Nyoni wins the Golden Eye in the Feature Film Competition.

Jury Statement:

The jury president Lee Daniels said of the jury experience: ‘I started in independent cinema and it feels like I’ve come full circle watching these brave new voices, daring to bare their souls. telling their stories. It’s been humbling and selfishly a reminder for me to continue to do the same. The selection of films has caused much debate amongst us. And what I’ve learned is that cinema, as is all art, is so subjective. It comes from our own personal experience and from the lens that we view the world. And what a variety of lenses the jury and I have seen.

The jury issued the following statement:

‘We’d like to give a very special mention to a film by Jianjie Lin that touched us all, it was powerfully quiet, beautifully shot and the acting from all was a tour de force congratulations to…BRIEF HISTORY OF A FAMILY.

The Golden Eye goes to Rungano Nyoni for her miraculous film, ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL. On a deserted road, Shula stumbles upon the body of her dead uncle. As the preparations for the funeral begin, she and her cousin uncover the dark secrets of their middle-class family. A surreal, dramatic comedy full of surprises about the lies we tell ourselves. From the first shot of this film, we are thrust into a world that is spectacularly shot, filled with incredible music, exquisite sound design, and acting that left us all breathless. We believe she will take over Hollywood.’

Special Mention:

BRIEF HISTORY OF A FAMILY by Jianjie Lin

Jury:

Lee Daniels (Jury president) / Filmmaker / USA

Souheila Yacoub / Actress / Switzerland

Jo Willems / Cameraman / Belgium

Ewa Puszczyńska / Producer / Poland

Sophie Deraspe / Director / Canada

Documentary Competition – BLACK BOX DIARIES by Shiori Itō

In the Documentary Competition, 14 first, second, and third directorial works compete for the Golden Eye. This year, BLACK BOX DIARIES by Shiori Itō wins the Documentary Competition.

Jury Statement:

The jury president Kevin Macdonald said: ‘My fellow jurors and I would like to thank the festival programmers for selecting a fascinatingly diverse group of films for us to consider.

We seem to be living through a particularly tumultuous period of human history – one ruled by the easy soundbites and black and white opinions of social media. So, it is not surprising that audiences are hungering for the nourishment of documentary films – which can present the complexity and richness of human experience.’

The jury issued the following statement:

‘Our first Special Mention is for the film SABBATH QUEEN by Sandi DuBowski. We fell in love with the central character of this film, a gay man from a family with 38 generations of orthodox Rabbis, who shows us that even the most monolithic cultural traditions can be challenged, made fit for a modern age of equality, without losing their defining value. In a time of conflict, this film shows us – in the most entertaining way – that brave voices can provoke change and encourage respect and humanity.

Our second Special Mention is more than a special mention. We honestly could not decide between this film and the ultimate winner of the competition. There was a cigarette paper of indecision between them. The film in question is MARCHING IN THE DARK by Kinshuk Surjan. The film craft on display here is of the highest order and it was the most purely cinematic work we saw. Our hearts broke for the Indian village women who have lost their husbands to suicide, but also melted as they found joy in female companionship and shaping their own destinies in a misogynist world.

But how do you choose a winner when there is another film, very bravely and personally addressing misogyny in a more activist way? That other film became our winner – by a sliver: BLACK BOX DIARIES by Shiori Itō. Journalist Shiori Itō was raped by a respected Japanese journalist with tight links to the ruling government. Over the course of several years, we see her fight the retrograde sexual assault laws of her country, the corruption of the police and the warnings from her own family- to find justice for herself – and for all abused women in Japan and around the world. We were in awe of Shiori Itō’s resilience, openness and courage to be vulnerable. BLACK BOX DIARIES with its careful editing unspools as a sensitive, yet thriller-like story. This film has the power to change the systematic violence against women around the world.’

Special Mention:

SABBATH QUEEN by Sandi DuBowski

Extra Special Mention:

MARCHING IN THE DARK by Kinshuk Surjan

Jury:

Kevin Macdonald (Jury president) / Director, Author, Producer / Great Britain

Franziska Sonder / Producer / Schwitzerland

Vincent Kelner / Director, Cameraman / France

Anna Hints / Director / Estonia

Ben Bernhard / Filmmaker, Cameraman / Germany

Also honored at the 20th Zurich Film Festival were:

ZFF Critics’ Award – LES COURAGEUX by Jasmin Gordon awarded with the ZFF Critics Award chosen by the jury as best Swiss film in the programme, not including gala premieres.

Jury Statement:

The critics’ jury describes the winning film as ‘a confidently directed, naturalistic feature debut that trusts the audience to fill in narrative and emotional gaps, with compelling, nuanced performances, particularly that of lead Ophélia Kolb.’

**Special Mention: **

A special mention goes to the docufiction E.1027 – Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea by Beatrice Minger and Christoph Schaub for its bold, complex, and original form, structure and use of scenery to tell the story of a bold, complex, and original personality.

Jury:

Alissa Simon / film critic and programmer / USA

Alan Mattli / film critic / German-speaking Switzerland

Trinidad Barleycorn / film critic / French-speaking Switzerland

ZFF for Kids Jury Award – LEEUWIN by Raymond Grimbergen

ZFF for Kids Audience Award  – DIE HEINZELS – NEUE MÜTZEN, NEUE MISSION by Ute Von Münchow-Pohl

Audience Award – BLACK BOX DIARIES by Shiori Itō

Film Prize of the Churches of Zurich – LES COURAGEUX by Jasmin Gordon

Best international Film Music – Ahmed Soroko

Jury Statement:

The jury president of the 12th international Film music competition, Howard Shore, presented the Canadian composer Ahmed Soroko with the Golden Eye for best international film music. The four-member jury gave the following reasons for his win: «The winning composition particularly impressed us in the following areas: The emotional resonance of the composition. The beautiful lyricism, the expert use of dynamics. Also the silent moments that the composer has allowed. All of these individual elements give the composition color, form and perspective.»

Jury

Howard Shore (jury president) / film composer / Canada

Rachel Braunschweig / actress / Switzerland

Nicolas Rabeus / film composer / Switzerland

Frank Strobel / conductor / Germany

These honorary awards were presented at the 20th ZFF:

Golden Icon Award: Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet was honoured with the Golden Icon Award at the 20th Zurich Film Festival for her outstanding acting achievement and her impressive career. Her new film LEE, in which she plays war photographer Lee Miller, also celebrated its Gala Premiere at the festival.

Golden Eye Award: Jude Law

Jude Law opened the Zurich Film Festival on 3 October as a star guest and presented his new film THE ORDER, an intense thriller by Justin Kurzel, in person at the ZFF Opening Night. The ZFF honoured Law with a Golden Eye – in the presence of Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider and Zurich Mayor Corine Mauch.

Golden Eye Award: Pamela Anderson

The Zurich Film Festival honoured Pamela Anderson for her versatile career and her role in the film THE LAST SHOWGIRL. She accepted the award in person at the Kongresshaus on 4 October before presenting the film THE LAST SHOWGIRL together with director Gia Coppola.

Golden Eye Award: Alicia Vikander

The Swedish actress was awarded a Golden Eye on 8 October at the 20th Zurich Film Festival for her outstanding acting performance. The honorary award was presented to her during the Gala Premiere of her new film THE ASSESSMENT at the Kongresshaus Zurich.

A Tribute To … Award: Edward Berger

The 20th Zurich Film Festival honoured the renowned Austrian-Swiss director Edward Berger with the prestigious A Tribute to… Award for his cinematic achievements. The honorary prize was presented to him during the Gala Premiere of his new film CONCLAVE on 6 October 2024 at the Kongresshaus Zurich.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Emil Steinberger

Emil Steinberger was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Accompanied by his wife Niccel and other prominent guests, Emil presented the new documentary TYPISCH EMIL – VOM LOSLASSEN UND NEUANFANGEN by Phil Meyer at the Gala Premiere, where he was awarded the Golden Eye on 10 October.

Career Achievement Award: Howard Shore

The 20th Zurich Film Festival honoured the multifaceted career of Howard Shore with the Career Achievement Award this year. On 5 October, he was presented with the Golden Eye at the Tonhalle Zurich during the 12th International Film Music Competition.

Game Changer Award: Roeg Sutherland

Roeg Sutherland, Co-Head of Media Finance at CAA and Co-Head of the International Film Group, was honoured with the Game Changer Award during this year’s Zurich Summit on 5 October, in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions to the film industry.