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At the 2025 Zurich Film Festival, the Slovak drama Father, directed by Tereza Nvotová and starring Milan Ondrík, took home the Golden Eye for Best Feature Film. Based on a true story, this poignant portrait of a man undone by a brief lapse in memory has positioned itself as one of the cinematic revelations of the year.
A Slovak Tragedy with Universal Power
Father isn’t just a film about personal downfall. It’s a sharp, emotional plunge into guilt, responsibility, and how split-second decisions can reverberate through a life. Milan Ondrík plays a man who seems, at first, anchored in decency. But following a sudden loss of memory, a tragedy upends his existence. The film, which premiered in Venice, has now been chosen as Slovakia’s official submission for the 2026 Oscars and should definitely be on your radar.
There’s something almost unbearably human about the story: no twists, no sensationalism, just the quiet collapse of a man grappling with what he did — or did not — do. The fact that it’s rooted in real events only deepens the impact. I haven’t seen many performances this year as stripped-down and affecting as Ondrík’s.
International sales are in the hands of Intramovies, so it’s safe to say this powerful drama will travel. To read Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton face off in 2026’s Apex trailer
Among Strong Competition, Other Voices Shine
In the same international competition, two titles were singled out for special mention. French director Alice Douard’s Des preuves d’amour (Love Letters) explores love through a fragile, introspective lens, while Taiwanese film Left-Handed Girl by Shih-Ching Tsou stood out for its raw emotion and narrative intensity. The latter is also Taiwan’s official Oscar contender and has a close connection to American indie cinema: Sean Baker, director of Anora, co-wrote and produced the film.
Netflix holds distribution rights for Left-Handed Girl in most regions, which nearly guarantees a wider audience. Given the way Baker’s influence can be felt in the undercurrents of the script, there’s a touching blend of East and West in both style and rhythm.
A Swiss Documentary Takes Center Stage
For the documentary section, the standout was clearly I Love You, I Leave You by Moris Freiburghaus. It became the first Swiss film to win Best Documentary Feature at Zurich, and that didn’t happen by chance.
The film chronicles a year in the life of the director’s best friend who struggles with manic episodes. The intimacy is sometimes uncomfortable, but that’s what makes it so resonant. Watching it is like leafing through someone’s diary, written in bursts of energy and silence. It also received the Audience Award and a special mention from the festival’s Critics’ Jury.
Two other documentaries received special mentions: To read Ranking Shyamalan’s Hits: Which Film Defines His Legacy?
- The Ground Beneath Our Feet by Yrsa Roca Fannberg
- Life After Siham by Namir Abdel Messeeh, which also won the Film Prize of the Churches of Zurich
There’s clearly a momentum in documentary filmmaking right now that’s leaning toward the personal, the vulnerable — and this year’s ZFF rewards reflect that.
Spotlight on Swiss Talent
Swiss cinema had its moment as well. Damien Hauser’s Memory of Princess Mumbi was rewarded with the Critics’ Jury Award for Best Swiss Film. A subtle exploration — I’d even say meditation on memory and identity, its emotional undercurrent grows as it slowly unfolds.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Heisenberg’s Der Prank charmed the younger audience at the festival by winning both the ZFF for Kids Jury Award and the ZFF for Kids Audience Award. This kind of double recognition tends to signal a film that really connects across age groups.
Recognitions Beyond the Screen
Zurich’s closing gala also gave the stage to some major names. The Golden Eye honorary award went to:
- Dakota Johnson
- Benedict Cumberbatch
- Claire Foy
- Wagner Moura
These aren’t just awards for popularity. They speak to actors who have taken creative risks and thrown themselves into complex characters. Claire Foy in particular, from The Crown to Women Talking, continues to impress me with her ability to carry silence as powerfully as dialogue.
Colin Farrell received the Golden Icon Award — and let’s be honest, after The Banshees of Inisherin and his recent shift toward introspective roles, it felt well deserved.
Other honorees included:
- Russell Crowe with a Lifetime Achievement Award
- Director Noah Baumbach with a Tribute Award
- Producer Anne Walser and composer Hildur Guðnadóttir (Career Achievement)
- Tom Quinn, founder of NEON, received the Game Changer Award
The music prize for Best International Film Score went to Mikal Grigorowitsch, a name to watch if you care about scores that elevate the scene.
The 2025 Zurich Film Festival felt rich in stories that don’t scream, that don’t chase awards with grand gestures, but that creep under your skin and stay. Father is absolutely one of those. Not flashy, but unforgettable.
