Zurich Film Festival has announced that Dakota Johnson (Materialists) will open this year’s event, which takes place from 25 September to 5 October.
Johnson will present her relationship comedy Splitsville with director, actor and producer Michael Angelo Covino at the festive Opening Night–a project she not only stars in but produced.
The 35-year-old will also be honoured with the Golden Eye for her role in the film and her “outstanding” career so far, ZFF revealed.
In a press release, the organisation said Johnson has “established herself as one of the most versatile actresses of her generation”, adding that she has joined the “ranks of actresses who successfully navigate between Hollywood mainstream and independent cinema”.
Christian Jungen, festival director, added: “Dakota Johnson is one of the most fascinating actresses in modern cinema. She gives her characters great credibility through her honesty, and you can always sense how much she cares for them.
“She impresses with her subtle expressiveness, uncompromising choice of roles, and her ability to embody both audience favourites and demanding character studies.
“The fact that she is opening our festival and presenting the comedy Splitsville, which she also produced through her company TeaTime Pictures, is a great honour and a wonderful gift to the Zurich audience.”
Johnson will personally accept the Golden Eye during the Opening Gala, before offering insights into her work at a ZFF Masters.
The full Zurich Film Festival programme will be announced on 11 September.
