Behind the Scenes at the Zurich Film Festival: A Volunteer’s Perspective

Experiencing the magic of film, culture, and community at the 20th anniversary of Switzerland’s biggest cinematic event.

This year marked a significant milestone for the Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) as it celebrated 20 years of bringing cinematic magic to Switzerland. As one of the most important cultural events in the German-speaking world, the festival drew over 100,000 visitors and welcomed 137 film guests from across the globe. Legendary stars like Kate Winslet, Richard Gere, and Pamela Anderson graced the Green Carpet, capturing the attention of audiences and media alike.

Pamela Anderson (Image taken from ZFF’s LinkedIn page)

Kate Winslet (Image taken from ZFF’s LinkedIn page)

Richard Gere (Image taken from ZFF’s LinkedIn page)

For months, I’d been hearing stories about the ZFF from a friend whose daughter had volunteered for six consecutive years. Their excitement was contagious. Each year, they eagerly anticipated the festival, treating it as a grand celebration. Their stories of the buzz, the glamour, and the chance to contribute to such a prestigious event sparked my curiosity. This year, I decided to dive in and join them as a volunteer, stepping into the world of film and cultural festivities.

Green Carpet area where all the guests were received by the press

Me, dressed in a volunteer’s attire

Perks of Being a Volunteer

As one of the approximately 400 volunteers, I quickly discovered that the perks were exceptional. Beyond the free coffee and meals, the festival treated us with personalized lanyards, custom volunteer shirts, and a dedicated Volunteer Appreciation Day. Most exciting, however, was the free access to all the films — a dream for any film enthusiast!