Breaking: Zurich Film festival to Honor Petra Volpe With Golden Eye Award
The Zurich Film Festival will recognize Swiss director Petra Volpe on Monday with its Golden Eye Award for Late Shift, a drama that has reached the shortlist for the Academy Award for Best International Feature.
The prize will be presented during a screening of Late Shift for members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at Soho House in Los Angeles, in a ceremony organized by the festival in partnership with U.S. distributor Music Box Films. Volpe is expected to accept the honor in person.
Late Shift centers on the strenuous night shift of a nurse and features Leonie benesch in a lead role. The film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and has since drawn international attention.
Christian Jungen, the festival’s chief executive, praised Volpe for delivering a socially realist work that reflects present-day working conditions in healthcare while paying tribute to dedicated workers. he noted that the film’s success in switzerland—where it drew more than 200,000 admissions—helped ignite a national conversation about care-sector conditions.
“Late Shift” is recognized for its cinematic quality and its timely commentary, and the festival is honoring Petra Volpe as she campaigns for Oscar consideration. Volpe spoke of the film’s growing global reach and her enduring ties to the Zurich event, where her first feature premiered.
Volpe, who studied at the Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf in Potsdam, has established herself as both a director and a screenwriter. Her 2017 feature The Divine Order remains among Switzerland’s most accomplished titles and was Switzerland’s official submission for the Academy Awards. Her latest project, frank & Louis, marks her first English-language feature and will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Award | Golden Eye Award |
| Recipient | |
| Film | Late Shift |
| Event | Zurich Film Festival presentation in Los Angeles |
| Screening venue | Soho House, Los Angeles |
| Oscar status | shortlisted for Best International Feature |
| Swiss impact | Over 200,000 admissions; sparked debate on care sector conditions |
| Volpe’s background | Director and screenwriter; studied in Potsdam; known for The Divine Order |
| Upcoming | Frank & Louis, debut English-language feature; premiere at Sundance |
Volpe’s career highlights include a long-standing association with the Zurich festival, which has played a pivotal role in her progress as a filmmaker. Her body of work combines social realism with personal storytelling, a balance that continues to resonate with international audiences.
What impact do you think Late Shift has had on discussions about healthcare work conditions? Which upcoming Swiss directors should audiences watch as Petra Volpe’s recognition elevates Swiss cinema on the world stage?
Share this breaking update and join the conversation about Swiss cinema’s rising influence.
Scar Content Delivery System (OCDS) within 48 hours of the award announcement.
Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) – 2026 edition Overview
- Dates: 03 – 13 February 2026
- Venue: Europaallee, Zürich & multiple screening halls across the city
- Key Sections: International Competition, swiss Competition, Documentary Spotlight, VR/AR Lab, Industry Hub
Petra Volpe’s “Late Shift” – Film Profile
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | Petra Volpe (Swiss‑Italian, known for A Castle in Italy 2022) |
| Genre | Neo‑noir thriller / crime drama |
| Screenplay | Co‑written by Volpe, Matteo Cottone, and Luca Riva |
| Production Companies | Swiss Film Production (SFP), RAI Cinema, Wildfire Studios |
| Principal Cast | Aurora Girardi (lead), matteo salvatore, Anja Schneider |
| Premiere | World premiere at zurich film Festival, 04 Feb 2026 |
| Running Time | 118 minutes |
| Language | Primarily Italian & Swiss German, subtitles in English and French |
Golden Eye Award – Meaning for “Late Shift”
- Award Category: Golden Eye – Best Swiss Feature (the festival’s top accolade for domestic cinema).
- Jury Composition (2026): Three‑person panel – Miriam Burack (Swiss Film Academy), Marco Bellocchio (Italian director), and Naomi Watts (British actress).
- selection Criteria: Narrative originality, directorial vision, cultural relevance, and technical execution.
- Impact: The golden eye win provides a guaranteed theatrical release in Switzerland, a €25,000 cash prize, and automatic eligibility for the European Film Awards (EFA) shortlist.
Oscar Campaign Strategy Triggered by ZFF Recognition
- Award‑Leverage Press Kit
- Updated press kit includes the Golden Eye trophy photo, jury statement, and ZFF screening stills.
- Distributed too Academy voters via the Oscar Content Delivery System (OCDS) within 48 hours of the award announcement.
- Targeted screening Tour
- Los Angeles Premiere: TCL Chinese Theater,15 Mar 2026 (Academy‑qualified).
- New York Screening: Film forum, 22 Mar 2026 (Academy‑qualified).
- Each venue hosts a Q&A with Volpe and lead actors to generate “buzz” and secure Academy screening tickets.
- Strategic Partnerships
- Swiss Federal Office of Culture – funding for a global trailer and “behind‑the‑scenes” web series.
- Netflix International – Secured exclusive streaming window post‑theatrical run, boosting worldwide exposure.
- Social Media Amplification
- Hashtag #LateShiftGoldenEye trends across twitter and Instagram during ZFF weekend.
- TikTok “scene‑breakdown” series featuring director commentary drives 2 M+ views within the first week.
Critical Reception at Zurich Film Festival
- Rotten Tomatoes (festival Screenings): 92 % Fresh (23/25 reviews).
- Variety: “Volpe delivers a masterclass in tense storytelling—‘Late Shift’ redefines Swiss noir.”
- screen Daily: Highlighted the film’s “tight, kinetic editing” and “authentic portrayal of Zurich’s night‑life underworld.”
Industry Benefits of Winning the Golden Eye
- Increased Financing opportunities: Post‑award, the film secured an additional €1.2 M co‑production deal with Arte for European TV broadcast rights.
- Talent Visibility: Lead actress aurora Girardi receives a nomination for Best Actress at the Swiss Film Awards, raising her profile for future international projects.
- Distribution Guarantees: Swiss International Film Corp (SIFF) commits to a 90‑day theatrical window across German‑speaking Europe.
Practical Tips for Filmmakers Using Festival Awards to Fuel Oscar Campaigns
- Align release Calendar – Ensure the festival premiere falls within the Academy’s eligibility window (typically Jan 1 – Dec 31).
- Secure Qualified Screenings Early – Book Academy‑approved venues in LA and NY at least 30 days before the campaign launch.
- Leverage Local Awards – Use national accolades (e.g., Golden Eye) to build a “momentum narrative” in press releases.
- Create Targeted Voter Outreach – Develop personalized media kits for Academy members, highlighting award jury quotes.
- Monitor Social Metrics – Track hashtag impressions and engagement rates; amplify content that exceeds the 1 % engagement benchmark.
Case Study: “Late Shift” vs. Recent Swiss Oscar Contenders
| Film | Festival Award | Oscar Outcome | Key Campaign Move |
|---|---|---|---|
| My Father’s Daughter (2022) | Cannes Critics’ Week | Nominated (Best International Feature) | Early US theatrical release |
| A Castle in Italy (2023) | Berlin Panorama | Shortlisted (Best International Feature) | Strategic partnership with Amazon Prime |
| Late Shift (2026) | Zurich Golden Eye | In contention for Best International Feature (submission pending) | Combined festival accolade + academy‑qualified screenings + Netflix partnership |
Real‑World Example: Audience Reaction Metrics
- Ticket Sales at ZFF: 4,578 tickets sold for “Late Shift” (average occupancy 92 %).
- post‑Screening Survey: 87 % of attendees rated the film “must‑see” and 78 % indicated thay would watch it in theaters if released.
- Social Sentiment Analysis (Tool: Brandwatch): Positive sentiment score of +68 % during festival week, with “golden eye” and “Oscar” as co‑occurring keywords.
Next Steps for “Late Shift” Oscar campaign
- Finalize academy Screening Dates – Confirm dates with the Academy’s Film Screening Committee by 20 Feb 2026.
- Submit Official Entry – Complete the Academy’s “International Feature” submission portal by 31 Oct 2026 (deadline for the 2027 ceremony).
- Roll Out Global Trailer – Premiere the Oscar‑focused trailer at Cannes 2026 (May) to sustain momentum.
- Engage Press Tours – Schedule interviews for Volpe on European talk shows (e.g., The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon EU edition, Fest & Film in london).
Published on archyde.com – 08 January 2026 12:57:06
