Reaching New Heights
The second edition of the three-day talent promotion programme ZFF Summit Climber takes place from October 3. to October 6, 2024 in the context of the Zurich Summit, the Zurich Film Festival's prestigious boutique conference that takes place at hotel The Dolder Grand.
The Zurich Film Festival enables with the support of International Screen Institute eight junior sales and distribution executives to learn from Hollywood's finest. The aim of the new talent development programme is to use the framework of the conference and the festival to transfer knowledge about transatlantic economic and financing structures to selected participants. Additionally, the programme also offers participants a unique opportunity to expand their European and North American film network.
There are no participation or application fees for the program.
Programme
The three-day training programme enables participants to develop their financing and packaging skills and offers participants a unique opportunity to expand their European and North American film network. The programme is designed as a mentored approach with a support programme to upskill the participants.
Content transfer as well as creation of networking opportunities play an equally important role in this programme. A particular focus for participants will be on transatlantic economic and financing structures. The programme imparts a comprehensive understanding of transatlantic financing structures and offers a unique opportunity to expand North American and European networks through contact with Zurich Summit guests. The participants can deepen their knowledge about development strategies for post-pandemic recovery in film sales and distribution, strengthen their collaboration with producers, and learn the rules and guidelines of transatlantic collaboration.
Differentiate yourself from other junior executives and gain competitive advantage by joining the ZFF Summit Climber.
The programme will provide you with:
- A comprehensive understanding of transatlantic financing structures
- An appropriation of the rules of engagement for transatlantic collaboration
- A unique opportunity to expand your North American and European network, facilitated by introduction to Summit attendees
- Knowledge to develop strategies for post-pandemic recovery in sales and distribution
- Input on how to collaborate with producers
We bring the next generation of sales and distribution executives to the Zurich Summit.
Financing is one of the top gaps in the knowledge of even very experienced executives and knowledge much asked for in training need. The collaboration with Zurich Summit will make it possible to the ZFF Summit Climber to close that gap given the calibre of attendees and the collaboration with CAA. Obtaining this kind of knowledge will give the selected participants much desired knowledge and a competitive edge compared to their peers. Zurich Film Festival and International Screen Institute want to maximise the benefits of the excellent opportunities the Zurich Summit presents and use it as a stepping off point for the learnings they want to effect for the participants.
- Attendance of the Zurich Summit key sessions and programme at The Dolder Grand
- Breakout sessions about "How to package & finance films in North America & Europe" with high-profile Speaker
- Group sessions and briefing/debriefing
- Mentoring support during the programme from Julia Short and Beatrice Neumann
- Social & Networking Events
Day 1: Arrival by 2pm for the afternoon welcoming and networking programme
Day 2: Attendance of the Zurich Summit conference's key sessions and of the participants only break-out sessions
Day 3: Zurich Summit Tennis Tournament and Zurich Summit Dinner and other programme
Day 4: Departure
Participation in the ZFF Summit Climber is free but upon application. Eight industry talents will be selected and benefit of the ZFF Summit Climber package.
- The package for selected participants includes:
- Participation in the three-day programme
- Mentoring support from Julia Short and Beatrice Neumann during the programme
- ZFF Industry Business accreditation for the 19th Zurich Film Festival
- First-class accommodation during the programme (3 nights)
- Breakfast, selected lunches and dinners
- Invitation to numerous industry and networking events
PLEASE NOTE: the programme does not cover the travel expenses nor overnight stays in case of early arrival.
Applications for the ZFF Summit Climber will be accepted from mid-May until Wednesday, July 31, 2024, 23:59 CEST. The ZFF welcomes applications from all age categories and all sections of society and grants them equal access.
Please read the application information below carefully. Processing can only take place if the application form is complete and correct. All applicants will be informed about the selection by the end of August at the latest.
Application criteria
An application for the ZFF Summit Climber will be accepted if the following criteria are met:
- At least 2 years of professional experience in film sales, distribution or sales (such as Junior Sales Manager, Junior Buyer or Acquisitions Manager, or entry-level finance professional.
- Fluent in written and spoken English
- The online application form was submitted completely and correctly by Wednesday, July 31, 2024, 23:59 CEST at the latest.
If you have any questions about the application process or the talent program, please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail at [email protected].
Participants
Find out more about our ZFF Summit Climbers and alumni of the past years!
ZFF Summit Climbers 2023
Alex Settle
Altitude Film Entertainment
Amelie Eckhardt
Plaion Pictures
Francisco Zambrano
Mk2 films
maximilian Sachsse
Nutshell
Alex Settle, Acquisitions Assistant I Altitude I UK: "Graduating from the NFTS in 2021, I completed my MA in Film/TV Distribution, Marketing, Sales and Exhibition where during my time I worked at Picturehouse Entertainment, Bankside, BIFA and Vertigo. I joined international sales agent, UK distributor and production company, Altitude at the start of 2022 working in Acquisitions where I identify, assess and help decide what films Altitude acquires for UK distribution and/or international sales."
Amelie Eckhardt, Acquisitions & Sales Manager / PLAION PICTURES / Germany: Amelie gained first insights into the film industry as a production intern in 2014/15 at Odeon Film in Munich. After her MA in Film Studies at the University of Kent in 2019, she discovered film distribution through an internship at Wild Bunch Germany in Acquisitions, Sales & Co-Production. In 2020, Amelie joined the Acquisitions & TV Sales team of PLAION PICTURES as a Trainee, continued as a Junior, and now works as Acquisitions & Sales Manager. [email protected] | /https://plaionpictures.com/
Francisco Zambrano, International Sales Coordinator / mk2 / France: After discovering Dogtooth (2009) at one of the last remaining arthouse movie theaters in Caracas as a teen, Francisco decided to pursue his studies in Film abroad. 5 years later and with solid experiences in production, distribution, and film programming, they joined Reel Suspects as Festival Manager where they handled the festival strategy of titles such as We’re All Going to the World’s Fair (2021) and My name is Baghdad (2021). Currently they coordinate the sales department in mk2 films and works with buzzy titles like Anatomy of a Fall (Golden Palm 2023), Reality (Berlinale Panorama 2023), Alcarràs (Golden Bear 2022) and Return to Seoul (UCR 2022).
Maximilian Sachsse, Co-Founder/ Nutshell/Germany: He holds a Diploma in theater directing and studied film production at the Film academy Baden Württemberg. Max has been in the film industry for nine years various roles ranging from development, producing to distribution and international sales for Picture Tree International. He is the co-founder of Nutshell a global community-based and audience-validated licensing tool for imaginary worlds. [email protected] | https://nutshell-fiction-builders.webflow.io
Michael Yates
Metro International Entertainment
Mirva Huusko
NonStop Entertainment
Nur Hadas
Go2Film
Raluca Iacob
Lightdox
Michael Yates, Sales and Acquisitions Director / Metro International Entertainment / UK: Michael has worked in film for over six years. He is currently Sales & Acquisitions Director at Metro International, an independent sales & production outfit based in London, where he acquires, develops and sells features for global distribution. Recent credits include Nick Moran's CREATION STORIES (a Sky Original); Carol Morley's TYPIST ARTIST PIRATE KING, backed by BFI; Joachim Héden's THE LAST BREATH, on which he serves as an Executive Producer; and Andrew Currie's THE INVISIBLES, backed by Telefilm, on which he is also an Executive Producer. He is a BIFA voter and holds an MA in Film & Screen Media from Birkbeck, University of London.
Mirva Huusko, Sales Executive / NonStop Entertainment / Sweden: Mirva Huusko works as sales executive at NonStop Entertainment, a Stockholm based film distribution company of upmarket arthouse films, award-winning documentaries timeless classics and genre films. At Nonstop Mirva oversees TV sales, digital distribution and grant applications. Nonstop Entertainments recent releases include films such as Aftersun, Decision to Leave, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, Passages and upcoming How to Have Sex. Mirva holds an International Master of Arts degree and Bachelor of Arts degree from the department of cinema studies at Stockholm University and has worked with Nonstop since 2013.
Nur Hadas, Head of International Sales / Go2Films / Israel: Nur Hadas, currently residing in Tel Aviv, is the Head of International Sales at Go2Films. She started her career in the Israeli film industry with small roles at Docaviv IFF and Haifa IFF. Prior to her current role, she worked as a Sales Executive at Go2Films. Nur holds a BA in Communications and English Literature from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. [email protected] | https://go2films.com/
Raluca Iacob, Distribution and Sales Executive/ Lightdox/ France: In her work Raluca cooperates with partners in the French, German, Italian speaking territories, Benelux as well as Central and Eastern Europe. Before joining Lightdox she split her time working for film festivals and as a researcher, having obtained a PhD in Film studies from University of St. Andrews in 2014. Over the last decade documentary cinema has captured her attention and in 2022 this enthusiasm for non-fiction cinema prompted her move to film sales.
Summit Climber Speaker
Our ZFF Summit Climbers benefit from intimate breakout sessions from high-profile speakers. Roeg Sutherland, Tom Quinn and Kristen Figeroid, among others, have already passed on their expert knowledge to our participants.
Speaker 2023
Niels Alberg
Co-Founder & CEO
PUBLIKUM
Robert Walak
Headd of Film & TV
Iconoclast
Roeg Sutherland
Head of Media Finance
Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
Tom Quinn
CEO & Founder
NEON
Speaker 2022
David M. Taghioff
CEO
Library Pictures
Kristen Figeroid
Managing Director & EVP
Sierra/Affinity
Roeg Sutherland
Head of Media Finance
Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
Tom Quinn
CEO & Founder
NEON
FAQs
The ZFF Summit Climber is a talent development programme of the Zurich Film Festival supported by the International Screen Institute. The three-day programme is aimed at emerging sales and acquisition executives. During the ZFF Summit Climber, the selected participants will, among other things, have the unique opportunity to meet with well-known personalities of the film industry and gain insights into their creative process.
The ZFF Summit Climber is initiated by the Zurich Film Festival together with the International Screen Institute.
The ZFF Summit Climber will take place from September 29 - October 1, 2023 as part of the Zurich Film Festival (September 28 - October 8, 2023).
- Participation in the three-day ZFF Summit Climber program.
- Mentoring support from Julia Short and Beatrice Neumann during the program
- ZFF Industry Business accreditation for the 19th Zurich Film Festival
- First class accommodation during the program (3 nights)
- Breakfast, selected lunches and dinners
- Invitations to numerous industry and high-end networking events
The effective program varies from year to year in order to adapt to the selected participants. However, in 2022 it consisted of the following parts: Zurich Summit Conference, Breakout Sessions, Group sessions, mentoring support, Jury member of a pitching event, Zurich Summit Charity Tennis Tournament, Zurich Summit Dinner and numerous other networking events.
Anyone - regardless of age, gender, race or origin, place of residence, religion or belief - can apply, provided the following criteria are met: The person applying works in acquisitions, distribution or film sales and has at least 2 years of professional experience in that role. Furthermore, the person applying must be fluent in English and have met the formal criteria of the application process.
No, the ZFF Summit Climber is reserved for junior executives from Distribution, Acquisitions and Film Sales. Producers can apply for the ZFF Academy.
No. There is no age limit.
Yes, you can re-submit an application, but please note that participation in the ZFF Summit Climber is limited to one time only.
The application process consists of two steps:
- Prepare the necessary documents to fill out the online form.
- Fill out the online form
You must indicate your motivation directly in the online application form. It is a good idea to plan ahead and type your answers in advance in a separate document. You can then copy them directly into the application form. Please be careful not to exceed the maximum number of characters. We will strictly read only the allowed number.
A good advice is: we don't expect you to write a novel, just try to be personal.
8 participants will be selected from all complete applications received.
Shortly after we have received your application, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt by e-mail. It is expected that by the end of August, all those who have submitted a valid application will receive feedback on the selection.
Zurich Summit
The Zurich Summit is the largest industry event at the Zurich Film Festival. The boutique conference takes place on the first weekend of the festival at The Dolder Grand. A top-class line-up of international and national film producers, sales executives and creators in film, TV and entertainment, as well as technology entrepreneurs and financiers meet to debate the latest and most groundbreaking trends in the industry.
